Trail Blazers guard Chris Youngblood has been ruled out for Tuesday's game at the Lakers with a left ankle injury, down from day-to-day. Portland, 2-0 without him so far, keeps leaning on its guard group at Crypto.com Arena.
What happened
Chris Youngblood, a 24-year-old guard, moved from day-to-day to out on the injury report released at 1:37 a.m. ET Tuesday, Oct. 27. The injury is to his left ankle. The report's comment reads: "Youngblood (ankle/two-way player) is out for Tuesday's game against the Lakers." The ankle has gone back and forth for a week. He was listed out on Oct. 20, switched between day-to-day and out on Oct. 22, and was upgraded to day-to-day on Oct. 24. Before that, he was day-to-day on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 with a left calf issue.
What it means for the Trail Blazers
Portland plays at the Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The Trail Blazers are 2-0, have won two straight and sit fifth in the standings. Youngblood has not played this season, so he has no season line, and Portland is 2-0 without him. The backcourt minutes have gone to Damian Lillard (28.3 minutes, 22.0 points), Ja Morant (24.8, 13.0), Jrue Holiday (23.6, 10.0) and Scoot Henderson (19.9, 9.5). Henderson is day-to-day with a left ankle injury of his own. Deni Avdija leads the team at 30.5 minutes and 22.0 points. Shaedon Sharpe is out with a right knee injury, and Branden Carlson is day-to-day with a concussion.
What to watch
The injury report lists Oct. 29 as Youngblood's expected return, so the next report is the one to check for an upgrade. He is a two-way player, and the ankle has flipped between out and day-to-day several times since Oct. 20, so the date could change. Also watch Henderson's status before tipoff in Los Angeles. If Henderson can't play either, Portland's guard rotation gets thinner.
Is Chris Youngblood playing at the Lakers on Tuesday?
No. The injury report lists him as out for Tuesday's game against the Lakers with a left ankle injury.
When will Chris Youngblood be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 29. A specific game for his return has not been announced.