Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Likely out for season
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Little will likely miss the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed Thursday with a left shoulder labral tear, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The injury was confirmed Thursday after Little underwent an MRI. The 21-year-old had taken on an increased role to begin his third season with the Trail Blazers, averaging 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 25.9 minutes per game across 42 appearances. His expected absence for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign should open up more time at forward for CJ Elleby and Tony Snell, while solidifying Norman Powell as a starter on the wing alongside guards CJ McCollum and Anfernee Simons.
Little underwent an MRI on Wednesday that revealed a left shoulder labral tear, Jamie Hudson of KOIN 6 News Portland reports.
Little sustained a shoulder injury during Tuesday's loss to Minnesota, and he'll be forced to miss additional time following his MRI. A timetable for his return hasn't yet been revealed, but Tony Snell, Ben McLemore and CJ Elleby should see additional run in his absence.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Won't play Wednesday
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Little has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks due to a left shoulder strain, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Little had been productive across his last two appearances, as he averaged 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 34.0 minutes per contest during that time. However, he's now dealing with a left shoulder injury that will prevent him from suiting up in the second half of a back-to-back set. Tony Snell and Ben McLemore should handle additional work against Dallas.
Little provided 20 points (7-11 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes during Tuesday's 109-107 loss to Minnesota.
Though Norman Powell (personal) returned from an eight-game absence, Little maintained his spot in the starting five at small forward and made a case to stick on the top unit for at least one more game. Little did, however, pick up a left shoulder strain in the third quarter, though he was able to return for four minutes in the final stanza. He put up a few errant shots in the fourth quarter, so the shoulder injury may have played a role in his ineffectiveness. With Portland playing the second half of a back-to-back set Wednesday against the Mavericks, Little could appear on Portland's injury report, though for the time being, the expectation is that he'll play.
Little (knee) will play and start Tuesday against the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers radio play-by-play announcer Travis Demers reports.
As expected, Little will play through a right knee injury. This month, he's averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 31.6 minutes.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Likely available Tuesday
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Little (knee) is listed as probable for Tuesday's contest against the Timberwolves, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Little is expected to once again play through right knee pain. Since landing on the injury report, the third-year forward has totaled 26 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block over his last two games.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Will suit up Sunday
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Little (knee) will be available for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Jay Allen of NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio 620 reports.
As expected, Little will once again play through right knee pain. In his last contest, he totaled seven points, eight rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes of action.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Probable Sunday
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Little (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against the Raptors, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Little continues to deal with a right knee injury but will likely play through the issue again Sunday. Assuming he's available, he should remain in the starting lineup since Norman Powell (personal) remains out.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Available against Boston
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Little (knee) is available for Friday's game against Boston, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Little sustained a knee injury during Wednesday's game against the Heat, but he'll be back in action without missing any additional time. Since Norman Powell (personal) is unavailable once again, Little will likely draw another start.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Questionable Friday
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Little (knee) is questionable for Friday's game at Boston, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Little played only 12 minutes due to the injury Wednesday against the Heat and was diagnosed with right knee acute patellar tendinopathy, with X-rays coming back negative. The 21-year-old is in line for anther start if available Friday since Norman Powell (personal) remains unavailable.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: X-rays on knee negative
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Portland head coach Chauncey Billups relayed after Wednesday's 104-92 loss to the Heat that Little underwent X-rays on his right knee, which returned negative, Jay Allen of NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio 620 reports.
The Trail Blazers still held Little out for the entire second half of the contest with an injury the team is labeling as right knee acute patellar tendinopathy. Before exiting, Little posted zero points (0-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt), one rebound and one block in 12 minutes. Tony Snell opened the second half with the starters in his stead, but Norman Powell (personal) could join the top unit if he's available to play Friday in Boston and if Little is sidelined with the injury.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Exits with right knee injury
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Little has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Heat due to a right knee injury.
Little is reportedly dealing with acute patellar tendinopathy and was ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly after the first half. The extent of the injury is unclear at this time, but his next chance to return to the court would be Friday against Boston if the knee heals in time. If not, Tony Snell could be in line for additional minutes if Little is sidelined for an extended period of time.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Another solid outing
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Little recorded 13 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 35 minutes during Monday's 98-88 victory over Orlando.
Little has now scored at least 13 points in five consecutive games. Little is just 21 years old and has the physical tools to develop into a solid producer. Currently, he is still holds a below-league-average player efficiency rating but carries fantasy appeal for his stable floor in Portland's rotation.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Solid performance in win
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Little had 13 points (4-13 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and two assists over 34 minutes during Sunday's 103-88 victory over Sacramento.
Little struggled from the field overall, but he salvaged the night by connecting on three shots from beyond the arc. The third-year pro has made multiple threes in four straight games and is shooting 44.0 percent from distance during that stretch.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Officially available Friday
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Little (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers, Jamie Hudson of KOIN 6 News Portland reports.
Little was probable ahead of Friday's matchup, so it isn't very surprising to see him available. Across his last two appearances, he's averaged 11.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Listed as probable Friday
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Little is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Lakers due to a right ankle sprain, Jay Allen of NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio 620 reports.
This is the first news of Little's apparent ankle sprain. The 21-year-old is still expected to play Friday and figures to remain in the starting five. He's started each of the last eight games he's been active for and is averaging 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.8 blocks in 28.5 minutes over that span.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Add three blocks to double-double
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Little chipped in 20 points (7-14 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals across 34 minutes during Monday's 132-117 loss to the Mavericks.
Little was arguably Portland's most impressive player Monday, ranking second on the team in scoring and leading the Blazers in rebounds and blocks. He converted half of his field-goal attempts and chipped in a pair of steals to round out a strong stat line. Little's scoring has been inconsistent this season, but he has established some fantasy value of late by swatting at least one shot in seven straight contests and averaging 6.3 rebounds over that stretch.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Not on injury report
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Little is not on the injury report for Monday's game against the Mavs, Blazers reporter Casey Holdahl reports.
This is encouraging news for the Blazers after Little was held out of their last contest Tuesday against the Pelicans due to a non-COVID illness. It's unclear if Little would have been able to play in Thursday's scheduled contest against the Nets, which was ultimately postponed. Either way, Monday will mark Little's first game action since last Sunday's (Dec. 19) 105-100 win over the Grizzlies, which he finished with 12 points, nine boards, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 36 minutes.
Little (illness) and the Trail Blazers won't play the Nets on Thursday after the NBA postponed the game due to Brooklyn not having the league-required eight available players for that contest.
As a result of the postponement, fantasy managers in weekly leagues who took a gamble on starting Little will get no games from him, as he missed Tuesday's 111-97 loss to the Pelicans after being listed as questionable ahead of the contest. Little, who is dealing with a non-COVID-19-related illness, should be available when the Trail Blazers will return to action Monday against the Mavericks.
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Trail Blazers' Nassir Little: Out vs. Pels
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Little (illness) is out for Tuesday's contest against the Pelicans, Jay Allen of NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio 620 reports.
With Little sidelined, more minutes should be available for Larry Nance and Tony Snell. Little's next chance to play is Thursday against the Nets.
