All but one NBA team has at least five games remaining this season. The Chicago Bulls have six, while their opponent, the Portland Trail Blazers, has five. Despite the similarity in records between the two squads, the Blazers are on a much different path than the Bulls. While Portland hasn't been ruled out of the playoff race, they likely won't secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament unless all five games remaining are won—being 2.5 games behind the 10th-place Sacramento Kings.
Portland to be without several starters
Nonetheless, that's certainly not on the Blazers' agenda. Even though Portland is 6-4 in its last 10 games, numerous key contributors have continued to be sidelined with injuries. Starting center Deandre Ayton hasn't made an appearance since the All-Star break and could be shut down as the season comes to a close.
Besides Ayton, fellow starter Anfernee Simons has appeared in 70 games this season, but he's missed Portland's previous two contests with a forearm contusion. Although not officially ruled out, Jerami Grant is unlikely to suit up in the Windy City. Grant has missed 12 consecutive contests as he continues to nurse tendinitis in his right knee. Like Ayton, there's a possibility Grant will be shut down in the coming days.
Lastly, up-and-comers, Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson, are on the mend. Camara suffered an ankle injury in Portland's win over the Toronto Raptors on April 3. The 3-and-D wing is listed as questionable ahead of tonight's contest. On the other hand, Henderson has missed three straight games and will miss a fourth as he has yet to clear concussion protocol.
Lonzo Ball's monthlong absence could come to an end
The Bulls, while not a picture of health, are to be without point guard Tre Jones for a seventh straight game. The 25-year-old guard suffered a midfoot sprain in Chicago's March 20 bout with the Sacramento Kings.
However, all signs point to fellow guard Lonzo Ball returning from a monthlong absence. Ball hasn't suited up since February 28. The 27-year-old has been dealing with a right wrist sprain for over a month. Fortunately, Ball has participated in Chicago's morning shootaround and should be ready to give it a go. While he's trending in the right direction, don't assume to see too much of Ball. He'll likely be on a 15-20 minutes restriction.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Portland Trail Blazers
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Tre Jones (Left Midfoot Sprain).
Questionable: Lonzo Ball (Right Wrist Sprain), Jevon Carter (Right Acromioclavicular Contusion).
Portland Trail Blazers
Out: Deandre Ayton (Left Calf Strain), Scoot Henderson (Concussion Protocol), Bryce McGowens (Right Rib Fracture), Robert Williams III (Left Knee Injury Management).
Doubtful: Sidy Cissoko (Left Ankle Sprain), Jerami Grant (Right Knee Inflammation).
Questionable: Toumani Camara (Left Ankle Soreness), Duop Reath (Right Knee Soreness), Anfernee Simons (Right Forearm Contusion).