Simons finished with 27 points (9-11 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, five assists and one steal in 23 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 137-131 loss to the Mavericks.
Simons was extremely efficient in this contest, and he would've been perfect from the field had it not been for two missed three-pointers. Simons came just three points shy of matching his best scoring mark of the campaign, and he's trending in the right direction following his return from a three-game absence due to an illness while also dealing with a right hand sprain of late. Simons has scored at least 25 points in three of his last five appearances.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Pops for 21 against Kings
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Simons ended with 21 points (8-14 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 41 minutes during Friday's 115-106 win over Sacramento.
The 25-year-old guard has delivered more than 20 points in three of the last four games, although Simons managed only five points in the fourth contest, and the nine dimes Friday were a season high. He missed three games earlier this month due to a sprained hand that he had attempted to play through, but since returning Simons has looked healthy, going 15-for-41 (36.6 percent) on three-point attempts over the last five games.
Simons supplied 30 points (10-21 FG, 6-12 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four rebounds, six assists and one steal over 38 minutes during Wednesday's 121-114 loss to Indiana.
Simons delivered arguably his best performance thus far, scoring a season-high 30 points to lead all scorers. Simons' offensive output has been wildly inconsistent this season, scoring at least 20 points on seven occasions, while also scoring single digits five times. Despite some inefficient scoring, Simons should continue to be the focal point of the Trail Blazers' offense moving forward.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Plays hero role Saturday
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Simons posted 25 points (10-20 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds and three assists over 37 minutes during Saturday's 104-98 victory over the Rockets.
Aside from leading the Trail Blazers in scoring Saturday, Simons came through when Portland needed him the most and drained a huge three when the game was tied late in the fourth quarter. Perhaps more importantly, Simons showed the right hand sprain he's dealing with didn't bother him. That should represent a huge boost for his availability in future contests.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Available to face Houston
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Simons (hand) is available for Saturday's game against the Rockets.
Simons will be ready to suit up for the second half of this back-to-back set against the Rockets. The star guard played through a sprained right hand Saturday and was limited to just eight points across 21 minutes. Even though Simons remains a key player for the Blazers on offense, he's recorded single-digit points in his last three appearances dating back to Nov. 10.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Likely to play Saturday
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Simons is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Rockets due to a sprained right hand.
Simons played through the injury Friday -- logging eight points across 21 minutes -- and he's on track to suit up again Saturday. The 25-year-old is averaging 15.6 points and 3.9 assists across 29.1 minutes per game this season.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Plays 21 minutes in return
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Simons (illness/hand) logged eight points (2-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and one steal in 21 minutes Friday in the Trail Blazers' 116-88 loss to the Rockets.
Though Simons' minutes were limited in his return from a three-game absence due to an illness and a right hand sprain, the light playing time had more to do with the Rockets turning the game into a blowout by the end of the third quarter. Simons checked out of the game with 4:38 left in the third and didn't play at all in the fourth, but he should see his minutes rise if the Trail Blazers are able to be more competitive with the Rockets in a rematch Saturday in Houston. Though Simons should re-emerge as one of the Trail Blazers' top scoring options before long, efficiency remains a concern for the young guard, who is converting on just 37.8 percent of his field-goal attempts and 30 percent of his three-point tries through 13 outings on the season.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Iffy for Friday
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Simons is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Rockets with a right hand sprain.
Simons had missed Portland's last three games with an illness, but it's a new issue that's threatening his availability for the front end of a back-to-back set in Houston. If the 25-year-old is unable to make his return to game action Friday, Dalano Banton will likely receive an increased role with Scoot Henderson (quadricep) also deemed questionable.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Out again Wednesday
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Simons (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Oklahoma City.
Simons' next opportunity to take the court comes in a back-to-back set in Houston on Friday and Saturday, although such scheduling is not conducive to a player looking to return from an illness/respiratory issue. Shaedon Sharpe has operated as the Trail Blazers' primary scoring option out of the backcourt during Simons' absence, while Scoot Henderson and Dalano Banton have also handled increased roles.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Iffy for Wednesday vs. OKC
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Simons (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Thunder.
Simons is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive game due to an illness, though he was considered doubtful before Sunday's game, so the questionable tag is a positive sign. If the 25-year-old is unable to play, Scoot Henderson will likely remain in the starting five.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Won't play Sunday
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Simons (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
Simons experienced shortness of breath during the Trail Blazers' win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday. He was able to return to practice Saturday, but he'll be held out for a second straight game, and his next chance to suit up will be against the Thunder on Wednesday. Scoot Henderson should make his second straight start with Simons sidelined Sunday.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Coach Chauncey Billups said Simons (illness) returned to practice Saturday but is unlikely to play in Sunday's game versus the Hawks, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Simons will likely miss his second straight contest due to an illness. However, the 25-year-old guard's participation in practice is a good sign that he is nearing a return to action. If he's ruled out, Simons' next chance to suit up would come Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Out Wednesday with illness
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Simons won't play Wednesday versus the Timberwolves due to an illness.
Simons was in visible discomfort in the first quarter of Monday's 122-108 win over Minnesota, as he dropped to the floor in a squat and appearing to be disoriented while standing on the perimeter. The Trail Blazers ruled him out for the rest of the contest due to a chest injury, and head coach Chauncey Billups said after the game that Simons experienced shortness of breath, per Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com. Initial tests on Simons turned up normal, but the guard was scheduled to undergo more testing Wednesday as the Trail Blazers look to ensure he's not dealing with a more serious medical concern. While he'll sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set, Simons could be a candidate to return to action Sunday versus the Hawks.
Head coach Chauncey Billups said after Tuesday's 122-108 win over the Timberwolves that Simons (chest) experienced shortness of breath during the contest and should be OK moving forward, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Simons tallied two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound in five minutes before exiting Tuesday's contest in the first quarter. The 25-year-old guard is not expected to miss significant time, but since he's still scheduled to undergo further testing Wednesday, he may miss the second leg of the back-to-back set later that day against the Timberwolves. Through his first 12 appearances of the season, Simons has averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.2 three-pointers and 2.0 rebounds in 29.8 minutes while shooting 38.2 percent from the field.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Out for remainder of game
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Simons will not return to Tuesday's game versus the Timberwolves due to a chest injury.
Simons tallied two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound in five minutes before exiting Tuesday's contest early. Although initial reports deemed Simons' injury a hand issue, it now appears to be a chest injury. The 25-year-old guard's status for Wednesday's rematch with Minnesota is uncertain.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Exits to locker room
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Simons went back to the locker room in the first quarter of Tuesday's contest against Minnesota with an apparent right hand injury, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Portland's medical staff appeared to check Simons' right hand before he went back to the locker room early in the matchup. If the 25-year-old is unable to return, Scoot Henderson and Dalano Banton are candidates for an increased role the rest of the way.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Woeful in loss to Memphis
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Simons registered four points (2-9 FG, 0-4 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in 19 minutes during Sunday's 134-89 loss to the Grizzlies.
Simons had his worst game of the season Sunday, and even though his numbers had been trending in the wrong direction of late, he reached a new low in this one, missing seven of his nine shots and failing to do much in other categories. Despite the dud, Simons should remain one of the Trail Blazers' most reliable options on offense.
Simons recorded 14 points (6-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists over 27 minutes during Friday's 127-102 loss to the Timberwolves.
Simons was far from efficient in this 25-point blowout loss to the Timberwolves, ending the game with more field-goal attempts than points scored for the second time in his last four games. Despite the shooting woes and the lack of efficiency that has seen Simons shoot a meager 38.9 percent from the field in his first nine games this season, he should remain the Trail Blazers' primary offensive weapon.
Simons finished Monday's 118-100 win over the Pelicans with 24 points (10-17 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, four assists and one steal in 34 minutes.
Simons delivered his fifth game with 20 or more points in eight appearances this season, but he took a step forward in the efficiency department after shooting a meager 35.6 percent from the field in his previous seven contests. Simons should continue to operate as one of Portland's go-to players on offense going forward, though an uptick in the efficiency department would go a long way toward boosting his upside even further.
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Trail Blazers' Anfernee Simons: Good to go Saturday
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Simons (arm) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's game versus the Suns.
Simons left Friday's contest early after falling awkwardly on his arm but doesn't appear to have suffered a serious injury. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 18.7 points, 5.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 33.0 minutes across his six appearances this season.
