New Orleans Pelicans' frontcourt loses Karlo Matkovic, who faces back spasms, impacting their clash with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, with a chance to even the season series in the final meeting, currently down 1-2.
The Pelicans still have an overall positive health outlook, much better than earlier this year, but added another new name to their latest injury report:
Bryce McGowens (right small toe fracture) - Out
Karlo Matkovic (low back spasms) - Questionable
Trey Murphy III (right ankle sprain) - Questionable
Matkovic was a surprise addition as he deals with lower back spasms, but has not been ruled out of playing. He's the only reliable source of shooting in that front court. He's done well in limited action against the Trail Blazers with an average of 7.7 points on only 11.8 minutes.
Murphy remaining questionable is a great sign that his injury still isn't too serious. At this point of the season, though, there's no reason to risk anything if he's not at 100%.
Here's Portland's injury report:
Jerami Grant (right calf strain) - Out
Vit Krejci (left calf contusion) - Out
Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury) - Out
Shaedon Sharpe (left fibula stress reaction) - Out
Jayson Kent (G-Leauge Two-Way) - Doubtful
Hansen Yang (G-League Two-Way) - Doubtful
Chris Youngblood (G-Leauge Two-Way) - Doubtful
Nothing too detrimental or surprising for the Trail Blazers. They have gone 7-3 in their last 10, and that's without any of their currently injured players. Portland has been an up-and-down team this season, but they are in the play-in and bought in. They won't be coasting.