The Portland Trail Blazers travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks on January 30, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Portland enters at 23-25, riding a three-game losing streak, while New York holds a 29-18 record and a four-game winning streak.
Injuries loom large for the Blazers. Damian Lillard is sidelined for left Achilles tendon management, Scoot Henderson misses time with a left hamstring tear, and Matisse Thybulle remains out with right knee tendinopathy. Deni Avdija and Robert Williams III are both questionable with a low back strain and left knee management, respectively. Kris Murray and Blake Wesley are also unavailable, while Duop Reath continues recovery from a right foot stress fracture.
Portland relies heavily on Deni Avdija, who averages 25.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and Shaedon Sharpe, contributing 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. Jerami Grant adds 18.8 points per game, while Donovan Clingan leads in rebounds with 11.2 per night.
New York faces a lighter injury slate. Josh Hart, Miles McBride, and Pacome Dadiet are all questionable due to ankle issues or G League assignments. Kevin McCullar Jr., Dillon Jones, and Trey Jemison III are also listed as questionable for two-way assignments.
The Knicks lean on Jalen Brunson, who averages 27.6 points and 6.0 assists per game, and Karl-Anthony Towns, contributing 20.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per night. Mikal Bridges adds 16.0 points per contest, and OG Anunoby posts 16.0 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Portland’s recent losses include a 111-115 defeat to Washington on January 27 and a 94-102 loss at Boston on January 26. The Knicks, meanwhile, defeated Toronto 119-92 and Sacramento 103-87 in back-to-back games. Their lone meeting this season saw New York prevail 123-114 in Portland on January 11.
