The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off one of their worst seasons in franchise history. At 21-61, they finished dead last in the Western Conference. It was tied for their second-worst record ever, only better than when Portland went 18-64 in 1971-72 in what was just their second season in existence. The Trail Blazers now haven’t experienced postseason play for three straight seasons.
Optimism for once again reaching the playoffs in 2024-25 isn’t abound. The Trail Blazers regular season opener is on Wednesday, October 23 in a home game against the Golden State Warriors. Portland was already aware they were going to start the regular season without a rotation piece. Now, they know will begin even more shorthanded.
Trail Blazers Defensive Ace Expected To Miss 3-4 Weeks
Thybulle Underwent Procedure On Knee
Matisse Thybulle is entering his third season with the Trail Blazers after the team acquired him in February of 2023 from the Philadelphia 76ers. The 27-year-old Thybulle sat out Portland’s four preseason games. Now he will sit out the start of the regular season.
Trail Blazers guard/forward Matisse Thybulle underwent a procedure Thursday to address inflammation in the right knee.
Thybulle will continue rehabilitation and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. pic.twitter.com/5VkHDxRjqI— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 19, 2024
It’s a tough break for Thybulle who is in a contract year (has player option in 2025-26). The 6-foot-5 guard/forward is seen as arguably the best defender on a Portland team that is short on top-notch defenders. Last season, the Trail Blazers finished 23rd in the league with a 117.5 defensive rating (and that was with Thybulle). Thybulle was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in consecutive seasons with Philadelphia in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
In what was his fifth NBA season, Thybulle appeared in 65 games (19 starts) for the Trail Blazers in 2023-24. In 22.9 minutes per contest, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks. His 2.7 steals per 36 minutes last season led the NBA. On the season, Thybulle shot 39.7% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc, and 75.9% from the free throw line.
Selected 20th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Thybulle has made his mark throughout his career on the defensive end while having limitations on offense. In his first five seasons, Thybulle has posted career averages of 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks.
Thybulle is not the only key Portland player that will be sidelined to start the regular season.
Sharpe Has Shoulder Injury That Will Sideline Him For Start Of Regular Season
It was announced on October 5 that Shaedon Sharpe suffered a small posterior labral tear in his left shoulder. At the time, it was announced that he was expected to miss around 4-6 weeks with the injury. That injury was announced two weeks ago.
Just 21 years old, Sharpe was taken with the seventh overall pick by Portland in the 2022 NBA Draft. Unfortunately for Trail Blazers fans, they haven’t seen the 6-foot-6 guard on the court much of late. His season ended prematurely in 2023-24 after undergoing abdominal surgery in February.
Playing in 32 games (25 starts) last season, Sharpe finished with averages of 15.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. His efficiency suffered though when compared to his rookie season of 2022-23. Last season, Sharpe shot 40.6% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 82.4% from the charity stripe. While his free throw accuracy improved, his field goal and three-point accuracy were at 47.2% and 36.0% respectively as a rookie.
