Tip-off is a few hours away, and Rip City is ready. Damian Lillard returns to the Moda Center in a Blazers uniform tonight (7:00 PM PT, Rip City TV), Ja Morant makes his Portland debut, and the question since Tuesday has been Deni Avdija’s right ankle. Avdija is still questionable, and his status should be settled after shootaround. If he sits, Sidy Cissoko likely starts and Morant gets more shots. The rest of the news is better: Jrue Holiday’s sore right hand kept him off the injury report entirely, and he’s expected to open the season with the second unit. Portland will be without Shaedon Sharpe (meniscus), Chris Youngblood (ankle) and Branden Carlson (concussion protocol). Phoenix will be without center Mark Williams (shoulder), which thins out a frontcourt that was already relying on Oso Ighodaro and rookie Khaman Maluach. Luke Kennard (knee) is questionable.

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/betting/2026/10/experts-release-final-blazers-vs-suns-predictions-deni-avdija-injury-update-line-moves-and-model-best-bets.html