Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Ready for training camp
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Portland general manager Joe Cronin said Monday that Walker (knee) will be ready for training camp, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Walker missed the final game of the 2023-24 season due to left knee tendinitis, but the franchise was just being cautious. Walker played a key role for the team, making 72 regular-season appearances with averages of 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game. Minutes won't be as easy to come by this time around, however, as Jerami Grant is healthy and the Trail Blazers added Deni Avdija this offseason.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Won't play Sunday
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Walker (knee) is inactive Sunday versus Sacramento.
Walker's second season will end with 72 appearances, with the 6-foot-8 forward averaging 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game. Improving as a shooter will be a key factor in Walker's potential to step into a larger role in 2024-25, as he connected on just 29.5 percent of 1.9 three-pointers per game this season.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Unlikely to play Sunday
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Walker is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Kings with left knee tendinitis.
Walker left Friday's loss to the Rockets early due to the knee injury, and the Trail Blazers seem to be leaning toward playing it safe with the second-year forward in the season finale. His expected absence could pave the way for Justin Minaya to step into a larger role.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Won't return Friday
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Walker won't return to Friday's game against the Rockets due to a left knee injury. He finished with nine points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT) and five rebounds in 14 minutes.
The Trail Blazers didn't provide any specifics on the extent of Walker's injury. Given that Portland has little on the line in Sunday's regular-season finale in Sacramento, Walker could end up sitting out that game even if his knee issue ends up being a minor concern.
Walker amassed 17 points (6-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 36 minutes during Thursday's 100-92 loss to the Warriors.
Walker has made the most of his starting role as the season draws to a close. He's recorded double-doubles in four of his last five games. The Colorado product's future with the Trail Blazers is an open question, as the team has a lot of money invested in Jerami Grant, who figures to return as a starter next season.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Nears 20 boards in double-double
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Walker finished with 14 points (5-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 18 rebounds and one steal across 34 minutes during Sunday's 124-107 loss to the Celtics.
Walker led all players in Sunday's game in rebounds while ending two boards shy of the 20-rebound mark and finishing as one of two players with a double-double in a balanced performance. Walker has hauled in 18 or more rebounds in two games this season, both of which have occurred over the last two outings. He has now recorded a double-double in three straight contests.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Owns glass in double-double
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Walker notched 11 points (2-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 13 rebounds and three assists over 39 minutes in Friday's 108-102 win over Washington.
Walker ended as one of five Portland players with a double-digit scoring mark while hauling in a team-high-tying rebound total to go along with a trio of assists in a well-rounded double-double performance. Walker has recorded 13 or more boards in four games this season, including in two straight outings. He has now posted a double-double in nine contests.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Career-best night on glass
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Walker posted 14 points (4-17 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 22 rebounds, two assists and one block in 42 minutes during Wednesday's 89-86 victory over the Hornets.
The 22 boards were a career high for Walker, who was making his third straight start since Toumani Camara (ribs) was ruled out for the rest of the season. The double-double was Walker's eighth of the season, and over 10 games since returning from a hip injury of his own, the second-year forward has averaged 10.1 points, 7.8 boards, 1.7 assists and 0.8 threes in 28.8 minutes per contest. Expect him to continue seeing big minutes for the Trail Blazers over the final weeks.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Close to double-double in loss
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Walker ended with 18 points (7-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds and five assists across 40 minutes during Monday's 104-103 loss to the Magic.
Walker is likely to see an uptick in playing time over the final two weeks of the season since the Blazers ruled out Toumani Camara (ribs) for the rest of the season, and this will be a good opportunity for Portland to assess whether Walker, the second-round pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, has a place in the franchise's long-term future. Walker is averaging 8.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 17 starts this season.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Gets starting nod
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Walker is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Heat, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Walker will replace Toumani Camara (ribs) in the starting lineup Friday. Walker is averaging 7.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 28.3 minutes across his last 10 starting appearances.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Supplies 15 points from bench
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Walker had 15 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and one steal in 26 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to the Nuggets.
The door was open for Walker to produce with a slew of starters on the sidelines. The Colorado product figures to be a key part of Portland's rebuild as it takes stock of the value remaining on the roster, and Walker's increased role this season is an encouraging sign for his future with the team. As the 2023-24 campaign winds down, Walker is a likely candidate for increased production.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Good to go Saturday
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Walker (hip) is available for Saturday's game against the Pelicans, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Walker was initially considered questionable, but his availability is a welcome sight for the Trail Blazers considering how many injuries they are dealing with. Walker does not have any restrictions to speak of despite returning from a five-game absence.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Upgraded to questionable
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Walker (hip) is now listed as questionable for Saturday's tilt against the Pelicans.
Walker was originally deemed doubtful for this contest, so he is seemingly trending in the right direction. He is looking to return from a five-game absence due to inflammation in his right hip. More clarity on the 21-year-old's status should come after he tests things out during pregame warmups.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Unlikely to play Saturday
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Walker (hip) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Pelicans.
Walker and Jerami Grant (hamstring) are doubtful, so there should be plenty of minutes available in Portland's frontcourt for Toumani Camara, Kris Murray, Duop Reath and Justin Minaya. If Walker is downgraded to out as expected, his next chance to suit up would come Monday in Chicago.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Out again Monday
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Walker (hip) will remain sidelined for Monday's matchup with the Celtics.
Walker's absence will mark his third straight due to a right hip strain. His next chance to return and provide depth for Portland's frontcourt will come Wednesday versus the Hawks.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Remains sidelined
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Walker (hip) is out for Saturday's game versus the Raptors.
Walker will miss his second straight game Saturday due to a right hip contusion. Walker's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Boston.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Slides to second unit
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Walker will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Thunder.
Walker made a spot start Monday and logged four points and eight rebounds across 28 minutes, but he'll rejoin the reserves with Jerami Grant healthy. In 41 games off the bench, Walker is averaging 8.4 points and 5.8 rebounds.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Gets chance with starters
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Walker is starting Monday's game against the Timberwolves.
Walker will draw his first start since Feb. 10 as the Blazers deal with a depleted frontcourt. The Colorado product is averaging 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds over 27.8 minutes in his last five appearances as a starter.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Double-double off bench
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Walker posted 19 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's 122-92 victory over the Grizzlies.
With Deandre Ayton (hand) sidelined, Walker saw his minutes and usage with the second unit creep up a bit, and he posted his first double-double in six games since moving to the bench. Toumani Camara has been hit and miss as the starting power forward in Walker's place, but coach Chauncey Billups may not be inclined to switch their roles back until Walker shows some more consistency.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Cleared to play Friday
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Walker (ankle) is good to go for Friday's game against the Nuggets, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
This is a big boost for Portland, as Walker has been a key player on both ends for them in recent weeks. He's been trending down in fantasy basketball, however, as he's failed to score in double digits in 10 of his last 11 outings.