Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Ends season in reserve role
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Walker accumulated 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and one assist across 23 minutes during Sunday's 109-81 victory over the Lakers.
Despite Jerami Grant (knee) missing essentially the entire final quarter of the year, Walker made just one start in 2024-25, and it came back during December. The 2022 second-rounder is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and Walker figures to provide frontcourt depth to whichever team he lands with. Walker averaged just 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers in 16.5 minutes across his last 15 games of the regular season, but he shot a sizzling 61.5 percent from downtown during this period.
Walker finished with 19 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two steals across 20 minutes during Friday's 103-86 loss to the Warriors.
With several Portland starters taking a seat, Walker took on a larger role in the rotation and logged his best scoring total since early March. The Colorado product should play a key role in the Trail Blazers' youth-based rebuild, which showed some promise in the closing weeks. Walker saw his seasonal averages plummet this season, as the addition of Deni Avdija kept Walker from breaking into the first unit.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Available Sunday
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Walker (concussion) is available for Sunday's game against the Celtics, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Walker will return from a four-game absence due to a concussion. It's unclear if the second-year big man will crack the rotation right away, as the Trail Blazers have Kris Murray and Duop Reath on hand as backups behind frontcourt starters Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Could play Sunday
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Walker (concussion) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Celtics.
Walker sustained a concussion during the Trail Blazers' 114-113 loss to the Knicks on March 12 and sat out the team's ensuing four contests, but he appears to have made some progress in his recovery in recent days. If he's cleared ahead of Sunday's 6 p.m. ET tipoff, Walker could be in line for a small role in the rotation.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Ruled out for Friday
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Walker (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Walker will miss a fourth straight game for the Trail Blazers due to a concussion. The next opportunity for the 22-year-old forward to get back on the floor will be Sunday against the Celtics.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Out for Wednesday
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Walker (concussion) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against Memphis, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Walker will miss his third consecutive contest while in the league's concussion protocol. HIs next chance to play will come Friday against Denver. Kris Murray could see a bump in minutes due to Walker being sidelined.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Out again Monday
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Walker (concussion) will not play Monday against the Wizards.
Walker has been in the concussion protocol since injuring his head during Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. It's unclear if he'll be ready in time for Wednesday's game against Memphis.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Not playing Sunday
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Walker (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
Walker entered concussion protocol Friday after injuring his head during Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. He'll have to clear the league's protocol before returning, with his next opportunity being Monday against the Wizards. Kris Murray and Robert Williams (knee) should see an increase to their minutes while Walker is sidelined.
Coach Chauncey Billups said Friday that Walker is in the concussion protocol, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Walker exited Wednesday's loss to the Knicks early due to the head injury and didn't return. The Trail Blazers will likely provide an update on the 22-year-old's status Saturday, as the club prepares to face Toronto on Sunday. If Walker is ruled out, Kris Murray and Robert Williams could see a bump in minutes.
Walker is being evaluated for a concussion and has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Walker will finish the contest scoreless (0-1 3Pt) with two rebounds across 11 minutes. He'll have until Sunday to rest before the Trail Blazers take on the Raptors. While Walker is sidelined, look for Duop Reath and Kris Murray to pick up the slack.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Available Sunday
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Walker (hand) is available for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Walker found himself on the injury report ahead of Sunday's contest with right hand soreness, but he will be able to play through the ailment. Walker has played 20-plus minutes in back-to-back games and figures to see a significant role once again, especially with Deni Avdija (quadriceps) out of the lineup.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Working through hand injury
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Walker is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons due to right hand soreness.
Walker has seen an uptick in playing time since the All-Star break, having averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals over 18.1 minutes per game over his last eight outings. Duop Reath would stand to see increased work behind Donovan Clingan if Walker is unable to play Sunday.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Scores 22 points in loss
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Walker notched 22 points (8-9 FG, 6-6 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds and one steal in 31 minutes during Wednesday's 128-118 loss to the Celtics.
Walker scored a season-high 22 points, playing a significant role after a combined 18 minutes over the previous two games. Much like last season, we could get to a point where Walker is playing consistent minutes down the stretch. At this stage, it appears he and Duop Reath are going to alternate as the primary backup behind Donovan Clingan, at least until the Blazers' frontcourt is healthy.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Double-doubles in win
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Walker produced 20 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 26 minutes during Saturday's 141-88 victory over the Hornets.
Walker had his best game of the season, recording his first double-double and revisiting the form he flashed glimpses of last season. The game was essentially over at halftime, meaning Walker was able to see additional run down the stretch. While this caliber of performance isn't likely to be the norm going forward, there is a chance he could step into a larger role as the season draws to a close should the coaching staff opt to ease back on their starters.
Walker logged 17 points (6-7 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and two steals across 19 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 132-121 loss to the Nuggets.
With Deandre Ayton (calf) and Jerami Grant (knee) both getting the night off, Walker seized an opportunity for a bigger role and set new season highs in points and boards. The third-year forward has struggled to win a consistent spot in the Blazers' frontcourt rotation, but with Ayton now set to miss at least four weeks and Grant having been sidelined for the last two games, Walker's minutes and production appear to be on the upswing.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Rejoins parent club
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Portland recalled Walker from the G League's Rip City Remix on Monday.
Walker played 29 minutes Sunday in Rip City's 127-125 win over the Windy City Bulls, finishing with 26 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 29 minutes. He'll be available for the Trail Blazers' game Monday against the Suns, but he's unlikely to be featured in the rotation.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Slotted to bench
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Walker will come off the bench during Sunday's game against the Suns, Casey Holdahl of the team's official site reports.
Walker will retreat to a bench role due to Donovan Clingan entering the starting lineup. Walker has not been much of a factor of late, averaging just 3.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game over his last five appearances.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Starting vs. San Antonio
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Walker will start Friday's game against the Spurs, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Walker will get the nod at center due to the lack of depth in the Blazers frontcourt. Deandre Ayton (illness) and Robert Williams (not injury related) are out, while Donovan Clingan will operate under a minutes restriction, so Walker is the next man up to start at the center position. Walker averages 3.0 points and 3.1 rebounds across 10.8 minutes per game this season. This will be his first start of the 2024-25 campaign.
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Trail Blazers' Jabari Walker: Serves as backup center
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Walker contributed two points (1-5 FG), three rebounds and one assist across 11 minutes during Wednesday's 121-114 loss to Indiana.
Walker spent time as the backup center, playing behind the returning Deandre Ayton. With the Trail Blazers very limited when it comes to frontcourt depth, it was Walker who played over Duop Reath, whom many saw as the logical backup choice. It is unclear whether this may have been a matchup-based decision, meaning Reath could very well be back in the rotation against the Kings on Friday, especially if Robert Williams (concussion) remains out.
Walker notched nine points (4-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Monday's 123-98 loss to the Grizzlies.
Walker finished with 20-plus minutes for the first time this season. He also scored his second-highest mark of the year, with his season high of 15 points dating back to Oct. 28 against Sacramento. If Jerami Grant (knee) misses additional time, Walker could see a slight uptick in playing time off the bench.
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