3 Critical Blazers Ruled Out vs Clippers with Injuries

Jan 16, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) dribbles around center Robert Williams III (35) during the second half against LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Three critical Portland Trail Blazers players have already been ruled out for the team's clash against the LA Clippers on Sunday.

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According to Portland's official Public Relations account, Portland point guards Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear) and Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon tear) remain on the shelf.

Henderson, initially drafted with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to essentially serve as Lillard's replacement, has been underwhelming to start his league career. Lillard and Jrue Holiday were acquired over the summer to supplement his underwhelming performance — although Lillard will be on the shelf through at least the entire 2025-26 season rehabbing the Achilles.

Neither guard has played a single second this year, and while Lillard's absence for the entire season was expected, it's been disappointing that Henderson will miss a good chunk of time recovering from his own surprise late offseason ailment.

INJURY REPORT 10/26 @ LAC:

OUT:
Scoot Henderson (L Hamstring Tear)
Damian Lillard (L Achilles Tendon)
Robert Williams III (Return to Competition Reconditioning)

— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) October 26, 2025

All-Defensive reserve center Robert Williams III, who has been hurt more than he's been healthy during his two seasons-and-change in Portland, is still working on his conditioning and will also have to wait a bit to make his Trail Blazers debut.

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The 6-foot-9 pro, 28, is on an expiring $13.3 million contract, but he's going to prove tough to offload for value in a trade this year if he can't ever stay on the floor.

Since 2023-24, the Texas A&M product has suited up for just 26 of a possible 166 contests and counting.

Tiago Splitter Has Unwittingly Become the Story for Portland This Week

Invariably, most eyes this evening will be focused on the Trail Blazers bench, where interim head coach Tiago Splitter will strive to lead Portland to a second consecutive win, following a demonstrative 139-119 blowout over the mighty Golden State Warriors on Friday night.

Granted, Golden State had been playing in its second game of a back-to-back slate, but a 20-point defeat is a 20-point defeat either way.

Splitter, initially hired as an assistant coach, of course is subbing in for banished head coach Chauncey Billups, who was indicted Thursday by the FBI for allegedly serving as a lure in mob-controlled poker games.

For more news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.