Trail Blazers guard Chris Youngblood was cleared on the injury report Saturday at 2:10 PM ET, after being listed as out. That makes him available for Portland's game at Utah at 3:00 PM ET, less than an hour later.
What happened
Youngblood, a 24-year-old guard, was moved from out to cleared on the injury report at 2:10 PM ET on Saturday, Oct. 31. The report gave no new detail or comment with the change. He had been out since Tuesday, Oct. 27, with a left ankle injury. The ankle had moved him between out and day-to-day several times since Oct. 20. Before that, he was day-to-day with a left calf issue on Oct. 13.
What it means for the Trail Blazers
Portland plays at Utah at 3:00 PM ET on Saturday. The Blazers are 3-1, fourth in the standings, and lost their last game. They have not played a game with Youngblood this season, so they are 0-0 with him and 3-1 without him. He has no season numbers yet. In his absence, Sidy Cissoko has averaged 22.7 minutes and 7.0 points, and Scoot Henderson has averaged 18.8 minutes and 7.5 points. The backcourt is thin. Ja Morant, who averages 25.9 minutes and 15.8 points, is out with a left hamstring injury, and Shaedon Sharpe is out with a right knee injury.
What to watch
Youngblood is available Saturday, but his minutes and role at Utah have not been announced. Watch whether he gets into the guard rotation behind Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday while Morant and Sharpe are both out. The next injury report will show whether the left ankle stays clear after his first game back. His ankle has gone back and forth on the report since Oct. 20, so the next update matters.
Is Chris Youngblood playing at Jazz on Saturday?
He was cleared on the injury report at 2:10 PM ET Saturday, so he is available for the 3:00 PM ET game at Utah. His minutes have not been announced.
When will Chris Youngblood be back?
He has been cleared, so he is available now, starting with Saturday's game at Utah. He had been out since Oct. 27 with a left ankle injury.