In April 2025, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard suffered a torn Achilles in Game 4 of a playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks waived him in July, and he chose to return to the Trail Blazers for the 2025–26 season.

Although he has yet to appear in a game for Portland this year, Lillard represented the franchise in the All-Star Three-Point Contest. In remarkable fashion, he emerged victorious and added another milestone to his legacy.

Damian Lillard wins 2026 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest, joins exclusive list

Lillard secured the title after scoring 29 points in the final round. He defeated Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel to capture his third championship in the past four years.

With the win, Lillard joined Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players in NBA history to win the Three-Point Contest three times since the event began in 1986, but that was not his only achievement.

Lillard became just the second player in league history to compete in the contest while recovering from an Achilles injury. Denver Nuggets guard Voshon Lenard previously participated in 2005 while recovering from the same injury after winning the contest in 2004.

Will Damian Lillard play in the 2025–26 NBA season?

Despite participating in the 2026 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest, Damian Lillard is not expected to play during the 2025–26 season for the Portland Trail Blazers. He is still recovering from his Achilles injury and, at 35 years old, wants to be cautious with his return.

When he agreed to rejoin Portland, Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the franchise that originally drafted him. However, the focus appears to be on long-term health rather than rushing back this season.

Avdija is officially ruled out for today’s matchup due to a low back strain. He suited up in Portland’s most recent loss in New York and remains a critical piece of the rotation. His availability could play a significant role as the Blazers attempt to bounce back after one of their most lopsided defeats of the season.

Portland’s injury report also includes Jrue Holiday, who is out for personal reasons, Robert Williams III, listed as questionable while managing a left knee issue, and Blake Wesley, who remains questionable with a right foot fracture. The Blazers will need depth and discipline if they hope to compete against one of the Eastern Conference’s most consistent teams.

Cavaliers dealing with key absences

Cleveland will also be shorthanded, as Evan Mobley and Darius Garland remain out of the lineup. Guard Craig Porter Jr. is listed as questionable with left knee soreness, leaving the Cavaliers thinner than usual in their backcourt rotation.

Despite those absences, Cleveland enters the matchup as a dangerous opponent. Teams often struggle in their first game back home after a lengthy road trip, and Portland will look to avoid that pitfall against a Cavaliers group that recently reshaped its roster.

Cleveland traded De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that brought Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to the roster, with the Chicago Bulls also involved in the transaction.

The Cavaliers are coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns and will be motivated to respond as they aim to remain among the top contenders in the NBA Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Portland continues to show flashes of growth and competitiveness, but sustaining that progress will depend heavily on keeping its core players healthy and available.

According to the official NBA injury report, Avdija is listed as available to play on Friday night. His availability could significantly influence Portland’s offensive rhythm and defensive versatility.

The Trail Blazers enter the contest holding a 23-25 record, placing them ninth in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Knicks arrive with a 29-18 mark, sitting second in the Eastern Conference. Portland hopes to have Avdija active as they attempt to pull off an upset against one of the NBA East’s top teams, but his status remains unclear as game time approaches.

What happened to Avdija?

Avdija has been managing a lingering back issue that forced him to exit a 127-110 victory over the Miami Heat on Jan. 22 after just 18 minutes. He later returned following a two-game absence, logging 31 minutes in a 115-111 loss against the Washington Wizards. In that outing, he recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and one block while shooting 42.9% from the field.

Despite having several days of rest since his return, Deni Avdija continues to carry a questionable tag, signaling that Portland remains cautious with his recovery.

His recent performances suggest he can still be productive, but the team prioritizes long-term health over short-term urgency given their position in the standings.

Historically, Avdija has appeared in 16 career games against the Knicks, averaging 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Since joining Portland, he has elevated his production considerably, posting averages of 28.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across three outings, underscoring why his potential absence would be a notable factor for the Trail Blazers.

The two teams find themselves in divergent circumstances in the regular season; the Spurs boast an 11-5 record, while the Trail Blazers lag at 8-10. Despite this apparent disparity in performance, the NBA Cup often presents a different competitive intensity, given the significance of the tournament.

Currently, the Trail Blazers lead the standings in Group C with a 2-1 record, whereas the Spurs hold a 1-1 record. Their advancement into the next round hinges on the outcomes of this crucial NBA Cup fixture.

In light of these circumstances, Spurs fans are eagerly speculating on the potential outcomes of this pivotal game against the Trail Blazers. Both teams share a fervent desire to advance and contend for the title this season.

What happens if the Spurs lose against the Trail Blazers?

If the San Antonio Spurs fall to the Portland Trail Blazers, they must hope for either the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, or the Phoenix Suns to suffer a defeat in their matchups.

In the event of a loss to Portland, the Spurs face elimination under the following circumstances:

1. SAS loss + MIN win
2. SAS loss + PHX win
3. SAS loss + LAL win + MEM win

What happens if the Spurs win against the Trail Blazers?

Conversely, a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers keeps the Spurs’ hopes of advancing alive. Furthermore, they could eliminate Portland if one of the following scenarios unfolds:

1. POR loss + HOU win
2. POR loss + MIN win
3. POR loss + PHX win
4. POR loss + LAL win + MEM win

Butler is listed as probable with low back soreness after missing the previous game. Green, who was sidelined in the loss to the Miami Heat due to illness, is also probable for Friday’s in-season tournament matchup. Barring setbacks, both veteran stars are expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Stephen Curry as the Warriors finally head back home following a grueling six-game road trip.

In addition to Butler and Green, the Warriors have another player on the injury report. Buddy Hield is listed as probable with an illness after playing against Miami. He finished that game with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, shooting 7-of-20 from the field and 4-of-15 from three.

On the other side of the availability spectrum, the Warriors have officially ruled out Jonathan Kuminga due to bilateral knee tendonitis. The young forward has struggled to find rhythm after a strong start to the season, and an enforced rest may be exactly what he needs to reset and regain form.

How the Warriors enter the matchup

Golden State closed its six-game road trip with a 3–3 record. Stephen Curry carried a heavy offensive load throughout the trip, averaging 29.8 points per game, while Jimmy Butler averaged 22.4 during his time on the floor. At 9–8, the Warriors sit eighth in the Western Conference and remain in the thick of a crowded early-season playoff picture.

They arrive at this game after a tough loss to the Miami Heat — a Heat team that played without its top star, Tyler Herro, who has missed most of the NBA season due to injury. Still, Miami leaned on Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo, both of whom have been playing at an elite level and keeping the franchise afloat.

The Warriors fell despite deploying a lineup without any of their marquee names. With no Butler, no Green, no Curry, and no Al Horford, Golden State relied on Brandin Podziemski, who delivered 20 points and eight rebounds. Buddy Hield added 18 points, rookie Quinten Post scored 19, and Pat Spencer nearly posted a triple-double with 11 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists while running the offense.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Heat have listed Norman Powell as available for tonight’s contest against the Blazers in Miami.

The Heat are playing a back-to-back after defeating the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Cup tournament. In that victory, the Heat set an impressive franchise record by scoring 53 points in the first quarter, the highest single-quarter output in team history. Powell was a major contributor in that win, playing 27 minutes and recording 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Powell is currently enjoying the best statistical season of his career so far, though it is still early. The former Clippers guard is averaging 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists through the six games he has played with the Heat.

Powell leads the league in key statistic

With the absence of Tyler Herro due to surgery, many expected the Heat to struggle offensively. However, Norman Powell has capably filled the void, taking over as the team’s primary offensive leader. He is currently averaging 23.5 points per night on 47% shooting from the field and 50% from deep.

Remarkably, the former Clippers star is dominating the first quarter of games; he is the second-leading scorer in the entire league in the opening frame, averaging 10.2 points per night, trailing only Luka Doncic, who sits at 13.2 points, according to Sports Illustrated.

“I’m just being aggressive and the ball is going in,” Powell said in a press conference after the Heat’s win over the Hornets. “My focus is just making the right reads and plays and what the defense is giving me. It gets us going, it gets us feeling good. When I’m aggressive like that, it gets guys to find their spots”.

According to the official NBA injury report, the Nuggets have listed Jamal Murray as questionable (left calf tightness) for tonight’s contest against the Blazers. The only other player on the Denver report is Cameron Johnson, who is listed as probable with right shoulder inflammation.

The Canadian point guard has participated in every game for the Nuggets so far and is enjoying a spectacular start to the season. Murray is averaging 27.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds, setting what are currently career-high marks in scoring and rebounding.

It remains early in the season for the Nuggets to risk Murray if he is not at his best for tip-off. Furthermore, thanks to their offseason moves, Denver boasts strong depth. While Murray’s absence would be a significant loss, players like Christian Braun and Bruce Brown can step up as ball-handlers alongside Nikola Jokic.

Jokic praises Murray’s hot start

The Nuggets are a truly formidable team when both of their stars, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, are performing at a high level, a dynamic that is currently defining their early season. The Serbian center remains the undisputed leader, having recorded a triple-double in all four of Denver’s games.

However, Murray is also experiencing a surge in form, which was evident in the 127-114 victory over the Timberwolves, where the Canadian logged an explosive 43 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Following that contest, Jokic offered high praise for the point guard, highlighting the substantial work he put in during the offseason.

“He came ready to training camp, and he’s healthy,” Jokic said after the game, via ClutchPoints. “He’s in shape. It’s a product of the good work he did this summer, and we know what he can do when he’s shooting the ball. He was really good for us, the reason why we won the game”.

Doncic missed the previous NBA game against the Sacramento Kings, where Austin Reaves stole the spotlight with a career-high 51 points. That performance reassured the Lakers that, even without their stars, someone can step up and carry the team.

It appears that scenario will repeat itself today, as Luka Doncic will not be available for the matchup against the Trail Blazers. The superstar guard continues to recover from a finger sprain and a left leg contusion sustained last week.

The Lakers are in a tough spot without their top stars. LeBron James also remains sidelined, and according to Shams Charania, Doncic will be out for at least one week.

Where did Doncic get injured?

Doncic suffered his injury on Friday, during the Lakers’ commanding win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, a game in which he delivered 49 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Despite taping his injured finger midgame and finishing strong, postgame evaluations confirmed the severity of the injury.

The team has since ruled him out for at least a week, which will sideline him for matchups against the Trail Blazers (today), Kings, Timberwolves, and potentially the Grizzlies in the NBA Cup opener.

In Doncic’s absence, Austin Reaves is expected to take on a much larger offensive and playmaking role, while Marcus Smart will move into the starting lineup. Head coach JJ Redick described the move as precautionary, noting that there are no long-term concerns about Doncic’s recovery.

The Warriors could have pointed to their hectic travel schedule for Friday’s 139-119 loss at Moda Center, but coach Steve Kerr refused to use that as an excuse, instead praising the Blazers’ performance.

“The NBA schedule is … everybody deals with whatever comes your way and there’s a lot of difficult moments to the schedule, whatever,” Kerr told reporters in Portland after the loss. “But tonight was not about that. It was about Portland and what they’ve built and the length and athleticism and the style of play. They were brilliant. I would be embarrassed to sit here and blame fatigue when a team just came out and just took it to us.

“It was about them and their great play, and this city is really going to enjoy watching the Blazers because they play hard and they’ve got a real identity and they’re doing a really good job of rebuilding the franchise after the long run with Terry Stotts, Damian Lillard, and CJ McCollum. It has been a rough couple of years, but they’ve used that time wisely and built a really good roster.”

Warriors struggle on the second night of a back-to-back

After defeating the Denver Nuggets in overtime Thursday at Chase Center, the Warriors flew to Portland for a second consecutive game. Despite a competitive first quarter, fatigue seemed to take over.

Aside from Steph Curry, Golden State struggled to find rhythm. Jimmy Butler wasn’t as aggressive as usual, and the defense offered little resistance to the young Blazers. Portland seized control in the second quarter and never let go. Kerr kept Curry in early in the final quarter, but quickly signaled defeat.

Kerr sees positives despite the loss

Even with a 20-point loss, Kerr found encouraging signs from the Warriors’ first week. “It was a tough night but a really good week,” Kerr said. “To go 2-1 with three games in four nights in three different cities, I’ll take it. But we’ve got to learn from this and do a much better job handling that kind of pressure.”

The Warriors now have two days off to rest, but another back-to-back looms. If they can defeat the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, Golden State may face fatigue heading into Tuesday’s matchup with the LA Clippers.

According to the NBA’s latest injury report, Kuminga is listed as probable despite dealing with inflammation in his right ankle, an issue he sustained during the recent game against the Denver Nuggets.

This season is a crucial proving ground for Kuminga, particularly following contract disputes during the offseason. Coach Steve Kerr appears to be rewarding his effort with significant playing time, logging 33 and 36 minutes, respectively, in the first two contests.

The 22-year-old forward has capitalized on his court time, delivering strong performances in both contests. In the season opener against the Lakers, he nearly notched a double-double, logging 17 points, alongside nine rebounds and six assists. Following that up in the victory over the Nuggets, Kuminga tallied 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Warriors’ injury report

While Kuminga is expected to play, the Warriors will be without Al Horford (left toe), who has been ruled out. He joins De’Anthony Melton (surgery) and Alex Toohey (left knee) on the sidelines.

The team will, however, get a boost as guard Moses Moody is set to make his season debut. Moody missed the first two games due to a minor left calf strain suffered in training camp, but he has been removed from the injury report and ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that the 23-year-old is ready to take the floor against the Blazers.

According to reports from CNBC and ABC News, Billups and Rozier were taken into custody on Thursday in connection with a federal gambling investigation. The arrests come as authorities prepare to unveil formal charges that could have significant implications for professional basketball.

NBC News reported that the incidents are unrelated. Rozier was allegedly involved in suspicious betting activity after sportsbooks in several states flagged unusual movement on “under” bets for his points, rebounds, and assists during a March 2023 game. He left that contest after just 10 minutes, citing a foot injury as the reason for his early exit.

Billups, meanwhile, was reportedly connected to an illegal poker operation linked to organized crime. Such connections could open the door to a much larger investigation into gambling-related misconduct across sports circles.

Who else has been involved in the arrests?

Authorities revealed that former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also charged in a related case. In total, six individuals were indicted on Thursday for allegedly turning professional basketball into an “illegal betting operation” by using inside information to place unlawful wagers, according to law enforcement sources cited by ABC News.

Additionally, Shams Charania and Pablo Torre reported that following the arrests of Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard, the situation involving Malik Beasley may not be over yet. It could resurface depending on what is revealed during the authorities’ press conference, titled “More than 30 Defendants Charged in Illegal Gambling Schemes.”

Rozier’s stance and Damon Jones’ involvement

So far, Terry Rozier has not spoken publicly about the case, but his attorney has strongly defended his client, making it clear that Rozier is not a gambler. “We have represented Terry Rozier for over a year. A long time ago, we reached out to these prosecutors to tell them we should have an open line of communication. They characterized Terry as a subject, not a target, but at 6 a.m. this morning, they called to tell me FBI agents were trying to arrest him in a hotel. It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self-surrender, they opted for a photo op,” Rozier’s lawyer said.

“They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case. They appear to be taking the word of spectacularly incredible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA, and these prosecutors revived that non-case. Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.”

On the other hand, there have been no additional public statements from Damon Jones or his representatives. However, ABC News reported that the allegations against Jones and Rozier for illegal sports gambling go beyond betting — prosecutors claim the two also provided inside information about NBA players and teams related to prop bets between 2022 and 2024.