The Portland Trail Blazers received some unfortunate news ahead of their contest with the Utah Jazz on Monday. Per the official PR account of the Trail Blazers,

The Portland Trail Blazers are still trying to make the playoffs. They decided not to make a move at the trade deadline despite the fact that it would have helped them for their playoff push. While they did win 10 of 12 games,

Now, Ayton is out for at least a month with a calf strain, the Trail Blazers announced. The left calf injury happened in Portland’s game against Denver on Monday night. Ayton’s injury, a sprained ankle to Scoot Henders (who also had been on a roll),

Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after taking a hard hit against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on February 10, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/) Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton and point guard Scoot Henderson have been ruled out for Wednesday night’s game at the Denver Nuggets.

Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J.

While Portland's frontcourt ably survived the absence of starting center Deandre Ayton, the Lakers made a point to expose the Trail Blazers' defense-challenged backcourt, with Austin Reaves particularly taking pains to feast off Scoot Henderson in transition.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton suffered a left calf strain during Monday night's game and will miss at least four weeks.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a left calf strain, the Blazers announced Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Ayton had already been ruled out for Wednesday night’s game at Denver.

With Deandre Ayton sidelined, rookie Donovan Clingan has stepped up, showing the defensive presence and rebounding dominance the Blazers have been missing. As he continues to shine, Portland may have a major decision to make about its long-term frontcourt plans.

Second-year forward from Belgium who was included in the Jusuf Nurkić–Deandre Ayton trade. An elite defensive player who leads the league in charges and has keyed the January–February run. Former top-10 pick from Israel and jack of all trades acquired in a trade with the Wizards. Son of a former pro and a huge wing at 6-foot-9. Has an almost compulsive need to put pressure on the rim. A quintessential glue guy. The No. 3 overall pick and Lillard’s heir apparent at point guard carried huge expectations into his rookie season only to shoot the ball like it was made out of tin. Has turned the corner on both ends and breathed life back into his career in the past few months. The seventh pick in last year’s draft and one of the biggest lads ever to play for the team; an absolute unit at 7-foot-2, 280 pounds. Puts a seal on the rim on defense, sets huge screens, and has emerging shooting touch. The team’s wild card and lanky second-year wing has a 7-foot-3 wingspan and is said to be an obsessive worker. Became the protégé of former Blazer small forward Nicolas Batum after winning MVP at his camp in France when he was 11. Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.

During Portland's recent run of strong play, which saw them go 10-1, Deandre Ayton was playing his best basketball since joining the Trail Blazers. In his last 10 games, Ayton has averaged 17.1 points on 57.

He's in his second year with Portland after the Suns traded him ahead of the 2023-24 season. Ayton, the only No. 1 pick in Suns history, spent the first five years of his career in Phoenix before the organization packaged him and Toumani Camara to send out in a blockbuster deal that saw Jusuf Nurkic/Grayson Allen land with the Suns while Damian Lillard was acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks.