Portland Arrives Healthy Enough, Sacramento Already Shorthanded
The Portland Trail Blazers (1-0) head to Golden 1 Center on Friday, October 23 carrying early-season momentum — and a shorter injury list than their hosts. The Sacramento Kings (0-1) are dealing with four players on the injury report, including one season-ending absence, as they try to avoid falling to 0-2 at home. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET. [1]
Trail Blazers Injury Report
Portland lists three players as unavailable or uncertain heading into the game. Shaedon Sharpe remains out with a meniscus injury — a significant blow given he averaged 20.8 points per game over 50 contests last season. [1]
The status of the other two injured Blazers is where the two sources diverge slightly. One report lists Chris Youngblood (ankle) and Branden Carlson (concussion protocol) as day-to-day, [1] while a second report lists both as fully out for Friday's contest. [2] The safest assumption heading into tip-off is that neither is guaranteed to suit up.
Kings Injury Report
Sacramento's situation is more dire. Ben Simmons has been ruled out for the entire season with an Achilles injury, removing him from the equation entirely. [1] Maxime Raynaud (knee) and Dylan Cardwell (calf) are also out. [1][2] One report additionally lists Malik Monk as day-to-day with an ankle issue, [1] though the second source does not include Monk on the injury report — leaving his availability uncertain as of the morning of October 23. [2]
Who Carries the Load
With Sharpe sidelined, Portland will lean heavily on Deni Avdija, who led the team last season with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game across 66 appearances. [1] Ja Morant, in his first season with Portland, chipped in 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game over 20 games, while Jrue Holiday averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 assists across 53 contests. [1]
Sacramento will look to Zach LaVine, who posted 19.2 points per game over 39 games last season, and Domantas Sabonis, who averaged 15.8 points and 11.4 rebounds in 19 appearances. [1] Keegan Murray (14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds) and De'Aaron — correction, De'Andre Hunter (13.7 points) round out Sacramento's top contributors. [1]
The Statistical Backdrop
Last season's numbers paint a contrast between two teams that both struggled in different ways.
Portland ranked 16th in both offensive and defensive efficiency, scoring 115.5 points per game while allowing 115.8. [1] The Blazers were a strong rebounding team — sixth in the NBA at 46.0 boards per game — but their turnover problem was the worst in the league at 16.5 giveaways per contest. [1][2] Beyond the arc, Portland made 14.5 threes per game (seventh in the NBA) but shot just 34.3 percent from deep, fourth-worst in the league. [1][2]
Sacramento's 2025-26 season was considerably rougher. The Kings scored only 111.0 points per game — third-worst in the NBA — while surrendering 121.0 per contest, fourth-worst defensively. [1][2] Their three-point shooting was historically bad: dead last in the NBA in both threes made per game (10.3) and three-point percentage (34.0%). [1][2] They also ranked second-worst in three-point percentage allowed, giving up 37.9 percent from deep. [1][2] Sacramento ranked 21st in rebounding at 42.3 boards per game. [1]
Game Details
The game tips off Friday, October 23 at 10 p.m. ET from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Television coverage is available on NBCS-CA, PCK-SAC, KUNP, and BlazerVision, with streaming available via Fubo (regional restrictions may apply). Portland fans can also catch the call on Rip City Radio 620. [1][2]
What to Watch
The Kings' three-point woes from last season will be tested immediately against a Portland defense that allowed just 12.5 threes per game — sixth-fewest in the league. [1][2] Meanwhile, Portland's turnover problem, the worst in the NBA last year, could be exploited by Sacramento if Monk is available to run the offense. Watch for Avdija to shoulder a heavy scoring burden in Sharpe's absence, and monitor Monk's status at tip-off — his presence or absence could meaningfully shift Sacramento's offensive ceiling in what is already a must-stabilize game for a Kings team that opened 0-1. [1]
