{"id":175883,"date":"2026-02-04T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=175883"},"modified":"2026-02-04T04:09:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:09:29","slug":"the-biggest-problems-behind-the-trail-blazers-struggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/04\/the-biggest-problems-behind-the-trail-blazers-struggles\/","title":{"rendered":"The Biggest Problems Behind The Trail Blazers’ Struggles"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Portland Trail Blazers have lost six consecutive games, erasing their progress from a promising January. Deni Avdija<\/a>‘s absence has made it worse because Tiago Splitter’s system lacks a focal point. The Blazers must find a way to fix their struggles.<\/p>\n

The Biggest Problems Behind The Trail Blazers’ Struggles<\/h2>\n

From early to mid-January, the Portland Trail Blazers were on a hot streak. They even surpassed the .500 win percentage with a 23-22 record. Unfortunately, the Blazers have fallen into a bad skid with a six-game losing streak.<\/p>\n

While Shaedon Sharpe<\/a> has put up decent numbers<\/a> during this stretch, the rest of the team is struggling. Jrue Holiday<\/a> and Jerami Grant<\/a> have struggled since returning from their respective injuries. Players like Donovan Clingan<\/a> and Toumani Camara<\/a> have not been as efficient as the fans would like.<\/p>\n

It is the Blazers’ worst stretch of the 2025-26 season. They want to resolve it, but they have plenty of problems to resolve if they want to bounce back.<\/p>\n

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Avdija’s Absence Makes It Worse For Portland<\/h3>\n

Avdija has been dealing with a lower back injury over the past few weeks. Considering he just earned an All-Star nod for the first time in his career, the Blazers need him.<\/p>\n

Acting head coach Tiago Splitter’s system uses Avdija as the focal point. The Blazers’ offense often relies on drive-and-kick plays<\/a>, which Avdija thrives on. Sharpe can do the same, but he lacks the physical strength that can help him bully his matchups.<\/p>\n

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DENI AVDIJA. ALL-STAR. pic.twitter.com\/5wbyh2pMhR<\/a><\/p>\n

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n