Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Impresses in place of Grant
Rotowire
Watford produced 21 points (9-16 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal over 35 minutes during Wednesday's 127-115 victory over Utah.
Watford filled in once again for Jerami Grant (thigh), making his third start in four games. The LSU product narrowly missed out on his fourth double-double of the season and has now hit double figures in the scoring column in seven straight contests, averaging 12.4 points (on 52.1 percent shooting from the field) during that span while also chipping in 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 three-pointers in 30.7 minutes. Even after Wednesday's win, the Trail Blazers sit at 32-40 and 3.5 games off the pace for the final spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, making players like Grant, Anfernee Simons (foot) and other veterans nursing injuries as shutdown candidates down the stretch. With that in mind, Watford could maintain some nice fantasy value over the final two weeks of the season.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Returns to starting lineup
Rotowire
Watford is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Jazz, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Watford will get his third start in four games since Jerami Grant went down with a knee injury. Watford is averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 35.0 minutes across his previous four starts this season.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Scores 12 points off bench
Rotowire
Watford had 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one steal over 29 minutes during Sunday's 117-102 loss to the Clippers.
After starting the previous two matchups, Watford was shifted to a bench role in favor of Cam Reddish, but the former ended up seeing 10 more minutes and was more productive than the latter. Watford has scored in double figures in six straight appearances (two starts) and is averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.0 minutes during that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Not starting Sunday
Rotowire
Watford isn't starting Sunday against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Watford started the last two matchups and averaged 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 37.0 minutes per game, but he'll retreat to the bench while Cam Reddish draws the start Sunday. Despite his bench role, Watford should still see elevated playing time since Jerami Grant (quadriceps) remains out.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Solid production all around
Rotowire
Watford supplied 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt), eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals in 34 minutes during Friday's 126-112 loss to the Celtics.
Watford was quiet on the offensive end with just two points on 1-of-4 shooting from the field in the first half, though he added four boards, four dimes and two steals. He added only six more points in the second half, all of which came in the fourth quarter on 2-of-2 shooting from beyond the arc, to finish with 10 points for the third game in a row. The power forward dished out a team-high eight assists in the contest to go along with eight rebounds, which also tied Jusuf Nurkic for the team lead. He's now scored in double figures in five straight games and has grabbed at least six boards in each of his last four.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Gets starting nod
Rotowire
Watford is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Knicks, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Watford will replace Jerami Grant (quadriceps) in the starting five Tuesday. Watford is averaging 9.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 33.0 minutes across his previous two starts this season.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Double-double in loss
Rotowire
Watford ended Wednesday's 115-93 loss to the Celtics with 12 points (5-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and 10 rebounds across 25 minutes.
Watford struggled from the field, but he was able to record his third double-double of the season. His 10 rebounds were the most he's pulled down in a game since mid-December. The young backup has seen plenty of opportunity lately, but now that Jusuf Nurkic (calf) is back, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on the minutes distribution over these next few games.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Operates as playmaker Tuesday
Rotowire
Watford chipped in two points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 23 minutes during Tuesday's 123-105 loss to the Warriors.
Watford continues to play around 20 minutes per night with Jusuf Nurkic (calf) and Justise Winslow (ankle) out, and while he's been an inconsistent scoring threat, he's showcased a versatile skill set that warrants some fantasy intrigue. Over his last 10 appearances, the second-year big man has averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 21.6 minutes while shooting 60.0 percent from the field.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Strong performance in loss
Rotowire
Watford logged 15 points (6-7 FG, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and four assists across 19 minutes during Thursday's 133-116 loss to the Kings.
Watford missed just one shot from the field en route to his first double-digit scoring effort since Feb. 4. Over his past 10 appearances, the backup big man has averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 21.7 minutes per game. As long as Jusuf Nurkic (calf) and Justise Winslow (ankle) remain out, Watford should have a clear path to 20 minutes a night.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Available Monday
Rotowire
Watford (ankle) will be available to play Monday against the Lakers.
Watford could see quality minutes in this one with Jerami Grant (concussion) unavailable, so he could be someone to consider rolling the dice on in daily fantasy leagues. Matisse Thybulle, Cam Reddish and Nassir Little could also qualify as potential deep league streamers with Grant watching from the sidelines.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Dealing with sprained ankle
Rotowire
Watford is probable for Monday's game against the Lakers due to a sprained right ankle.
Watford tweaked his ankle over the weekend, but it doesn't look like it will cost him any time. With that said, the Blazers are heading into a three-game week that begins with a back-to-back, so the forward's status is worth keeping an eye on. Watford has played at least 16 minutes in six straight games and could see a slight uptick going forward after Portland sent out Josh Hart and Gary Payton II at the trade deadline.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Solid outing in increased role
Rotowire
Watford chipped in 21 points (9-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, five assists and one steal over 30 minutes during Friday's 124-116 win over the Wizards.
The second-year pro out of LSU played over 20 minutes in his third consecutive contest Friday. Watford stepped up without starting center Jusuf Nurkic (calf), putting in his first 20-point game of the 2022-2023 season. Friday was an efficient and well-rounded performance, and Watford is worth a speculative add in fantasy leagues while the situation in Portland shakes out.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Resurfaces in rotation
Rotowire
Watford finished Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Grizzlies with five points (2-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes.
Watford has now logged 20-plus minutes in both of his past two appearances, which he's sandwiched around the Trail Blazers' 129-125 win over the Hawks on Monday, when he didn't leave the bench at all in a coach's decision. It's no coincidence that Watford's elevated playing time in the two games came when Jusuf Nurkic didn't play or exited early due to a recurring left calf injury. Nurkic was spotted in a walking boot following Wednesday's contest and appears unlikely to play Friday in Washington, which likely sets Watford up for at least a short-term opportunity to stay in head coach Chauncey Billups' rotation. Drew Eubanks should get the first chance to start in Nurkic's stead and remains a preferred speculative pickup in fantasy over Watford.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Remains an afterthought
Rotowire
Watford had two points (1-1 FG) over two minutes during Tuesday's 122-113 loss to the Nuggets.
Watford saw two minutes of garbage time Tuesday, continuing what has been a hugely disappointing season. After showing flashes during his rookie campaign, including scoring double-digits in 12 of his final 13 games, Watford has struggled to carve out a consistent role. He has played no more than five minutes in four consecutive games and is clearly on the outside looking in when it comes to meaningful minutes.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Will play against Rockets
Rotowire
Watford (Achilles) will play Saturday against the Rockets, Jamie Hudson of KOIN 6 News Portland reports.
Watford had been deemed as probable, so his availability here shouldn't be a major surprise. He's averaging 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds across 17.5 minutes per game this season.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Listed as probable
Rotowire
Watford is considered probable for Saturday's contest against the Rockets due to left Achilles soreness.
Watford's injury designation indicates he is trending toward playing, but that will not likely be confirmed until closer to game time. He could be in line for a bigger role than usual if Jerami Grant (back), who's listed as questionable, ultimately gets ruled out.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Records double-double in loss
Rotowire
Watford supplied 16 points (5-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals over 24 minutes during Friday's 130-110 loss to the Mavericks.
Watford got some extra minutes and had one of his best fantasy performances of the season Friday night. His 16 points and 11 boards gave him his second double-double on the year, and he matched his season high with six assists. The backup forward shot the ball efficiently and also grabbed two steals, the most he's had in a game since early November. While this kind of opportunity may not continue next game, at least we know he's capable of being a relevant fantasy producer when given the minutes.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Probable Friday
Rotowire
Watford is probable for Friday's game at Dallas due to left Achilles soreness.
Watford has held a consistent bench role since making his season debut in early November. Over his past five appearances, he's averaged 3.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 12.6 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Shifting back to bench
Rotowire
Watford will return to the bench for Sunday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of the Indy Star reports.
With Josh Hart back from injury, Watford will head back to the bench after a two-game stint as a starter. In those two contests, the LSU product logged a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Lakers and nine-point, 14-rebound effort against the Jazz.
... See More... See Less
Trail Blazers' Trendon Watford: Logs double-double as starter
Rotowire
Watford posted 10 points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 128-109 loss to the Lakers.
Watford logged his first start of the campaign due to the absence of Josh Hart (ankle). Watford responded with his first double-double since his final game of last season while tying his season high in scoring. He's been a non-factor in fantasy this season and has remarkably failed to block a single shot over 226 total minutes, so there's no need to pluck him off the waiver wire yet even if he remains in the starting unit for additional contests.
