When the Portland Trail Blazers take the court against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Cup on Sunday, November 23, 2025, they’ll do so with a roster so depleted it’s become a league-wide cautionary tale. Eight players — including their franchise icon — are sidelined, turning what should be a high-stakes tournament game into a desperate test of depth. The injury report, released at 9:30 a.m. ET, lists Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle, Blake Wesley, and Donovan Clingan all on the shelf. It’s not just a bad day. It’s a season unraveling.
A Franchise Ground to a Halt
The loss of Damian Lillard — officially ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season after a ruptured Achilles in late October — was a seismic blow. He’s not just the team’s best player; he’s the emotional core, the clutch scorer, the guy who carried Portland through dark seasons for over a decade. But the dominoes kept falling. Jrue Holiday, acquired last summer as the veteran stabilizer, went down with a calf strain in early November. He’s now expected to miss at least until December 5. Then came Scoot Henderson, the 22-year-old rising star and presumed starting point guard, who tore his left hamstring in late October. He’s out until at least December 20, per CBS Sports. That leaves the Blazers with zero healthy point guards who’ve played more than 10 minutes in an NBA game this season.The Depth Problem Is Structural
This isn’t a matter of bad luck. It’s a roster built on thin ice. The Blazers have no true backup center after Robert Williams III (knee) and rookie Donovan Clingan (ankle) both went down. Williams, once a defensive anchor in Boston, has been plagued by knee issues since training camp. Clingan, the 21-year-old former UConn big man, was supposed to be the future — now he’s questionable for Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, Shaedon Sharpe, the explosive 21-year-old scorer, is out with a calf strain, and Matisse Thybulle, the league’s best perimeter defender, is recovering from thumb surgery after tearing his UCL on November 15. His return isn’t expected until mid-December.Even Blake Wesley, the 22-year-old guard who was expected to provide energy off the bench, is sidelined after foot surgery on November 5. He’ll be out 8–12 weeks. That’s eight players — nearly half the active roster — gone. And none of them are role players in the traditional sense. These are the guys who were supposed to carry Portland into the playoffs. Now, the team is 7-9, fourth in the Northwest Division, and barely clinging to playoff hopes.
What Happens When the Bench Is Bare?
Coach Chauncey Billups, 48, has had to turn to G League call-ups and unproven rookies. One of those players, 23-year-old guard Jalen Suggs — acquired in a mid-season trade — has been thrust into a starting role. He’s averaging 12.4 points and 4.1 assists over the last five games, but his defense is overmatched against elite guards. The team has signed two players from the South Bay Lakers, the Warriors’ G League affiliate, to 10-day contracts. Neither has played more than 12 minutes in an NBA game. The Blazers are now running a lineup with a 6’5” guard at center and a 6’3” forward at power forward. It’s basketball by desperation.“We’re not making excuses,” Billups said after Friday’s loss to the Thunder. “But when you lose that many guys who define your identity — your defense, your leadership, your scoring — you’re not just short-handed. You’re short on direction.”
The Ripple Effect
The Blazers’ collapse isn’t just a local story. It’s a warning to every team that over-relies on star power without building depth. The NBA has seen injury crises before — the 2019 Warriors with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, the 2021 Nets with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — but rarely has a team lost so many key contributors across so many positions simultaneously. The Blazers’ front office, led by GM Neil Olshey, faces scrutiny over their failure to secure a reliable backup center or a veteran point guard after Lillard’s decline became apparent last season.Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors, who enter the game at 10-6 and riding a four-game win streak, are licking their lips. Their starting backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson — both healthy — will feast on Portland’s thin guards. The Warriors’ depth, built around role players like Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga, will overwhelm Portland’s makeshift rotation.
What’s Next?
The Blazers’ next three games — against the Warriors, then the Jazz and Pelicans — will define their season. If they lose all three, they’ll be 7-12 and out of playoff contention. The return of Matisse Thybulle in early December could stabilize their defense. Donovan Clingan might return by mid-December if his ankle heals. But without Lillard, Henderson, and Holiday, they’re playing for pride — and draft position.For Portland fans, it’s heartbreaking. For the league, it’s a reminder: no franchise is immune. Even the most talented teams can crumble if they don’t plan for the inevitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this injury crisis affect the Trail Blazers’ playoff chances?
With eight key players out, including their top three guards and both centers, the Trail Blazers’ playoff odds have dropped below 20%, according to FiveThirtyEight’s NBA model. Their 7-9 record is already the worst in the Northwest Division, and without healthy contributors in the backcourt or paint, they’re unlikely to climb above the 10th seed. A win against the Warriors would be their first in six games.
Who is playing point guard for the Blazers now?
With Lillard, Holiday, and Henderson all out, the Blazers are starting Jalen Suggs, a 23-year-old guard acquired from Orlando. Backup duties fall to undrafted rookie Keshawn Martin and 10-day signee Jordan Goodwin, who has averaged 3.2 minutes per game in his NBA career. Neither has started an NBA game. The team has no true point guard on the roster.
Why is Damian Lillard’s injury so devastating for the franchise?
Lillard, 35, has been the face of the franchise since 2012. He’s the only player in team history with over 12,000 points and 3,000 assists. His leadership, shooting, and clutch gene defined Portland’s identity. His season-ending Achilles tear isn’t just a loss of production — it’s the loss of a cultural anchor. Without him, the team’s locker room morale and fan engagement have plummeted.
What’s the timeline for key players returning?
Matisse Thybulle is expected back in 4–6 weeks (mid-December), Scoot Henderson in 2–4 weeks (early December), and Jrue Holiday in 1–2 weeks (late November). Donovan Clingan remains day-to-day. But none of these returns will fully replace the collective impact of Lillard, Holiday, and Henderson — all elite-level players who were integral to Portland’s offensive and defensive schemes.
Is this the worst injury situation in the NBA this season?
Yes. No other team has lost eight players with NBA starting experience simultaneously, including three primary playmakers and two centers. The only comparable situation was the 2021-22 Sacramento Kings, who lost five players for extended periods — but none were All-Stars. Portland’s depth collapse is unprecedented in the modern NBA.
How might this affect the Blazers’ future draft picks?
If Portland finishes with one of the bottom three records, they’ll receive a top-three protected pick from the Brooklyn Nets, acquired in the 2023 Kyrie Irving trade. A top-3 pick could be their best chance to rebuild around a young star. But if they lose too many games, fan support and sponsorship revenue could plummet, making future free-agent signings harder — even if they land a lottery pick.
