Grading Every Blazers Starter After 2 Weeks

The Portland Trail Blazers have gotten out to one of the best starts in the NBA this season. Here's our grade for every starter following the team's 6-1 start.

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan high fives teammates before a game against the Memphis Grizzlies | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Portland Trail Blazers lead the West through seven games to start the season, posting a conference-best 6-1 record so far.

Most of Portland's starting lineup has thrived to open the new campaign, but some players have struggled at times. Here we'll review the play of each starter after two weeks of action, grading their play so far this season.

Damian Lillard - PG

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard against the Phoenix Suns | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Grade: A-

Under normal circumstances this grade could be dropped to a B+, but what Damian Lillard has done in his first season back from a torn Achilles can't be understated. He's the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 20.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game.

Lillard led the team with 25 points in the upset win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, and has chipped in 20 points in five of his seven games so far this season. The lineup is leaning on the franchise's all-time leading scorer for continued production, and he's answering the call early in the Blazers' campaign.

Scoot Henderson - SG

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson attempts a shot in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Grade: D

Scoot Henderson took over as the team's starter following the injury to Ja Morant, and the fourth-year guard has struggled early in his contract year. He's shooting just 32.8 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from 3-point range, the worst marks among the starting-five, averaging career-lows of 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

He showed flashes early, but could find himself on the trade block as the Blazers continue to emerge as contenders in the Western Conference. Henderson is our lowest-graded starter in the list, and Portland is quickly running out of time before potentially losing him in free agency.

Toumani Camara - SF

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Grade: A-

Toumani Camara is Portland's top perimeter defender among the starting rotation, and has thrived in his 3-and-D role through seven games to start the season. Camara has emerged the Blazers' best 3-point shooter so far this year, connecting on 47.1 percent of his 7.3 attempts from beyond the arc per night.

He's averaging an efficient 13.7 points per game, chipping in 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists with one steal a night on the defensive end. The Blazers rank 11th in 3-point shooting this season, and Camara has played a crucial role in that success.

Deni Avdija - PF

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija dribbles the ball up court in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Grade: A

Deni Avdija finally reached his potential in just his second season with the Blazers in 2025-26. He earned his first All-Star bid, and has carried that momentum into the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Avdija leads Portland in scoring and assists, tallying 23.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists, shooting an efficient 47.8 percent from the field.

Portland continues to lean on Avdija as the No. 1 option on the offensive end, and he's exceeding expectations once again. He posted a season-high 12 assists against Denver, leading Portland to a second-half comeback victory. Avdija is just one of six players with 23-6-6 averages, and is on his way to a second consecutive All-Star nod this season.

Donovan Clingan - C

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan dunks the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Grade: A

Few big men in the NBA have defended the paint better than Donovan Clingan to start the new season. He ranks fourth in the league in blocks (2.4 per game), and is one of just four players averaging at least 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. He's elevated that production to 3.0 blocks a night over his last three games, averaging 14.0 points and 11.5 rebounds during that stretch.

Clingan anchored the post in a tough matchup against Nikola Jokic, and will be called on to defend some of the top big men in basketball out West. If he can sustain his level of output, Portland will be destined to make a run in the postseason come late April.