Joe Freeman
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Joe Freeman
@freemanjoe.bsky.social
1.5K followers 120 following 170 posts
Senior Writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive covering the Portland Trail Blazers and NBA.
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freemanjoe.bsky.social
‘He likes to win’: Inside Tom Dundon’s rise from failed burger joint to buying the Blazers
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
‘He likes to win’: Inside Tom Dundon’s rise from failed burger joint to buying the Blazers
Government officials are scrambling to find public money to renovate Moda Center and keep the team in Portland.
www.oregonlive.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:52 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Shaedon Sharpe has a left calf injury and will not return tonight vs. the Grizzlies, per the Blazers.
February 7, 2026 at 4:39 AM
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Tiago Splitter says Scoot Henderson has been cleared to play tomorrow vs. the Grizzlies and will make his season-debut.
February 5, 2026 at 9:52 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Vit Krejci has passed his physical and will be in uniform tonight when the Blazers host the Suns.
February 4, 2026 at 2:24 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Scoot has officially been listed as doubtful for Tuesday night's game vs. the Suns. Deni Avdija (lower back strain) is also doubtful.
February 3, 2026 at 1:14 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
When will Scoot Henderson return? Trail Blazers point guard nears comeback, says ‘I feel amazing’
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
When will Scoot Henderson return? Blazers guard nears comeback, says ‘I feel amazing’
The former lottery pick hasn't played since March 2025, but could return as early as this week.
www.oregonlive.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:08 AM
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A day of trades, All-Star berths and feel-good returns ends with mixed emotions for the Trail Blazers:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
A day of trades, All-Star berths and feel-good returns ends with Blazers mixed emotions
The Blazers acquired a sharp-shooting guard, welcomed back Blake Wesley and celebrated Deni Avdija's All-Star berth, but still suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.
www.oregonlive.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:33 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
A pregame update: Deni Avdija (lower back strain) is out.
freemanjoe.bsky.social Joe Freeman @freemanjoe.bsky.social · 6d
Injury notes tonight for the Blazers, according to Tiago Splitter:
•Blake Wesley will return tonight vs. the Cavaliers, playing in his first game since Halloween.
•Deni Avdija is expected to play.
•Scoot Henderson should make his season-debut "very, very soon."
February 2, 2026 at 1:49 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Tiago Splitter said he talked to Vit Krejci today: "He's excited about coming here. Great shooter. A guy that doesn't need many inches to shoot the basketball. And I think we are thirsty for a shooter like him ... he's a player that's going to help us a lot."
February 2, 2026 at 1:21 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Injury notes tonight for the Blazers, according to Tiago Splitter:
•Blake Wesley will return tonight vs. the Cavaliers, playing in his first game since Halloween.
•Deni Avdija is expected to play.
•Scoot Henderson should make his season-debut "very, very soon."
February 2, 2026 at 12:46 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija earns 1st NBA All-Star selection:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija earns 1st NBA All-Star selection
Avdija was one of 14 players voted as a reserve to the NBA’s marquee exhibition event, earning an All-Star bid for the first time in his six-year career.
www.oregonlive.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:33 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
The Blazers have announced that Duop Reath will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his right foot. The backup center has appeared in 32 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds, while shooting 42% from 3-point range.
January 29, 2026 at 9:30 PM
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Two Blazers have been selected to participate in the Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star Weekend. Donovan Clingan (sophomores) and Yang Hansen (G-League) have been chosen for the draft pool of the annual Rookie/Sophomore game. Teams will be picked Tuesday.
January 27, 2026 at 12:05 AM
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Coach Tiago Splitter says Deni Avdija, Rob Williams III and Duop Reath are out tonight vs. the Raptors. That leaves the Blazers with 10 healthy bodies, including two (Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant) who are on minute-restrictions.
January 24, 2026 at 1:26 AM
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From last night: Deni Avdija reinjures back, Trail Blazers beat Heat to improve to NBA-best 9-2 in January »

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Deni Avdija reinjures back, Blazers beat Heat to improve to NBA-best 9-2 in January
The Blazers won for the 11th time in the last 14 games, but the best news came afterward when Avdija downplayed another ailment.
www.oregonlive.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:41 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Blazers coach Tiago Splitter said it was his decision to pull Deni Avdija from the game. His back stiffened up and Splitter decided to use caution.

"I think he'll be fine," Splitter said, adding that he expects Deni to play Friday vs. the Raptors.
January 23, 2026 at 5:39 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Deni Avdija (back) has left the game - and is not on the Blazers' bench - and the team say he will not return vs. the Heat.
January 23, 2026 at 4:45 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Trail Blazers injuries: Deni Avdija upgraded, Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday downgraded, vs. Kings »

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Trail Blazers injuries: Avdija upgraded, Grant and Holiday downgraded, vs. Kings
Three important pieces of the Blazers' rotation have had their injury designations adjusted Sunday.
www.oregonlive.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:34 PM
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“It feels like we’re starting to be the team that everyone thought we were going to be …”

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
The Trail Blazers are finally starting to look like the team everyone expected them to be
The Blazers dismissed the Lakers on Saturday night, showcasing depth, dominance and maturity at Moda Center.
www.oregonlive.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:56 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
From last night: Jerami Grant returns, Trail Blazers beat Hawks:
www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026... »
Jerami Grant returns, Trail Blazers beat Hawks
After limping through the first half of the regular season with the second-most injuries in the NBA, the Blazers are finally, slowly, regaining their health.
www.oregonlive.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:07 PM
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Pregame update: Grant will return tonight under a minute-restriction.
freemanjoe.bsky.social Joe Freeman @freemanjoe.bsky.social · 23d
Afternoon update: Avdija is out and Grant is probable vs. Hawks.
freemanjoe.bsky.social Joe Freeman @freemanjoe.bsky.social · 23d
The Blazers have upgraded the injury status of Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant ahead of tonight's game vs. the Hawks:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
January 16, 2026 at 1:26 AM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Afternoon update: Avdija is out and Grant is probable vs. Hawks.
January 15, 2026 at 8:03 PM
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After opening the season looking to "Make 'Em Uncomfortable," it is the Trail Blazers who have had to cope with being uncomfortable:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Trail Blazers at midseason: Resilience defines 1st half of adversity, chaos, clutch games
Portland opened the season looking to "Make 'Em Uncomfortable," but after a 41-game stretch of ups and downs, it is the Blazers who have had to cope with being uncomfortable.
www.oregonlive.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:36 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
The Blazers have upgraded the injury status of Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant ahead of tonight's game vs. the Hawks:

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Trail Blazers injuries: Status of Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant upgraded ahead of Hawks game
The playing status of two key Blazers players has been upgraded ahead of Thursday night's game at the Moda Center.
www.oregonlive.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:32 PM
freemanjoe.bsky.social
Trail Blazers at midseason: Resilience defines 1st half of adversity, chaos, clutch games »

www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2026...
Trail Blazers at midseason: Resilience defines 1st half of adversity, chaos, clutch games
Portland opened the season looking to "Make 'Em Uncomfortable,' but after a 41-game stretch of ups and downs, it is the Blazers who have had to cope with being uncomfortable.
www.oregonlive.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:03 PM