The final injury report for Tuesday night’s Portland Trail Blazers at Washington Wizards game tells a simple story: both teams will be shorthanded, and the margins will be thin. With key names on the shelf and two stars listed as questionable, every rotation decision could decide the night.

Portland enters at 23-24, ninth in the Western Conference, and 10-13 on the road. Washington sits at 10-34, last in the East, 6-15 at home, and desperate to stop a nine-game losing streak. That context matters. It turns a typical midseason matchup into a test of poise, patience, and depth.

Trail Blazers injury report: stars out, depth on alert

The Blazers’ absences are heavy and hit multiple spots on the floor. Listed out: Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle, Blake Wesley, Duop Reath, and Kris Murray. Listed questionable: Deni Avdija.

This group affects scoring, creation, defense, and size. Without Henderson and Lillard, Portland loses primary ball handling and quick-strike offense. Thybulle’s defense and playmaking in passing lanes are hard to replace. Reath gives size and screens. Wesley and Murray help with energy and spacing. That is a big chunk of the rotation gone before tip.

Practically, that means more touches for whoever is available to initiate, and more minutes for role players who may usually see spot duty. The goal will be simple: protect the ball, rebound, and make the easy play. On the road, simplicity can be a superpower when the bench is stretched thin.

“Portland can win the possession battle even shorthanded — just keep it clean and get to the line.”

Wizards injury report: decisions on Middleton and depth wings

Washington’s list is just as impactful. Listed out: Marvin Bagley III, Tristan Vukcevic, Cam Whitmore, and Trae Young. Listed questionable: Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George.

The Wizards need a lift, and Middleton’s status is central to that. If he is able to go, Washington adds shooting, calm playmaking, and size on the wing. Coulibaly and George bring energy and length. Without them, the Wizards could be very short on two-way wings, especially against a team that will hunt mismatches.

With a 6-15 home record and a nine-game slide, the crowd will crave a fast start. The injury report tells you why that first push matters: it can set the tone, help the rotation settle, and keep legs fresh for crunch time.

“If Middleton suits up, the whole spacing map changes — corner threes open, and the ball moves cleaner.”

Avdija, Middleton headlines: why their status swings the night

Two names sit at the heart of this final injury report: Deni Avdija (questionable) and Khris Middleton (questionable). Their availability shapes matchups, shot quality, and who gets the toughest defensive tasks.

If they play, both teams gain a stabilizer. If they sit, both coaches face long stretches with lineups that have to win with effort, screens, and simple reads. Expect staggered minutes, shorter bursts, and a search for a hot hand, no matter who is available.

How the injuries shape Blazers vs. Wizards

This will likely be a game of tempo control and second-chance points. With several creators out, both sides may lean on half-court actions and clean execution over pace. Every extra rebound and every low-turnover possession takes on extra value.

• Turnovers: Missing primary guards often raises live-ball mistakes. The team that turns it over less will tilt the math.
• Rebounding: With frontcourt absences in play, boxing out and team rebounding become must-haves.
• Bench minutes: Deep rotation players will decide pockets of the game. A surprise eight-point burst could swing a quarter.

And do not forget the road-home split. Portland’s 10-13 away mark suggests steady but not dominant form. Washington’s 6-15 home record and losing streak show how hungry this crowd will be for something positive. One early run could lift the building — or quiet it.

“This feels like a fundamentals night — win the glass, win the game.”

What to watch on Tuesday night

Keep an eye on the pregame status updates. The final word on Avdija and Middleton will ripple through every matchup and substitution.

• First five minutes: Can Washington channel urgency and protect the ball? Can Portland settle the pace on the road?
• Who takes the tough assignments? With wings on the report, matchups may shuffle on both sides.
• Free throws: Short-handed teams need easy points. Attacking the paint can pay off.
• End-of-quarter sets: Coaches will hunt simple actions for clean looks. Watch the ATOs.

Given the absences, expect lineups built for effort and spacing, plus a premium on whoever can create late-clock shots. The team that finds rhythm first will have a big edge.

The stakes: skid vs. climb

For Portland, this is a chance to get back to .500 and firm up that ninth-place grip in the West. Road wins in January can be quiet season-shapers. For Washington, stopping a nine-game slide matters as much for belief as for the standings. Ending a streak can reset a locker room and a fan base.

That is why the injury sheet is more than names. It is the blueprint for how both coaches will coach, how both benches will respond, and how the game may flow. It tells us Tuesday will be about grit, not glamour. And that can be compelling basketball.

Bottom line: the final injury report makes this a test of depth and detail. If Avdija and Middleton are cleared, the chessboard widens. If not, expect a grind. Either way, the team that wins the small battles should walk away with a big result.