NBA: With star Deni Avdija likely out again, Blazers square off with Hawks

Portland Trail Blazers stars Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija have only shared the court once since Holiday suffered a right calf injury on November 14.

Although Holiday returned earlier this week, the team’s top two players are unlikely to play together Thursday night when the Trail Blazers host the Atlanta Hawks.

Avdija, a leading All-Star candidate, missed Tuesday’s 119-97 road loss to the Golden State Warriors due to lower-back soreness and is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game. The small forward had played in each of Portland’s first 40 games this season.

Holiday came back on Sunday after a 27-game absence. He is averaging 10 points but has made just 6 of 19 shots over his first two games. On Tuesday, he added 12 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench against Golden State.

"He's not the Jrue that we know yet," Portland interim coach Tiago Splitter said. "He's shaking off that rust. It was a good game for him to get some rhythm."

Holiday’s 4-of-12 shooting against the Warriors, along with three assists and three turnovers, reflected Splitter’s observation.

"Just good to see him out there on the court competing and fighting," Splitter added. "Don't forget he was out two months. It takes time. It's kind of like preseason again."

Avdija’s absence was felt immediately. He is averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, scoring at least 20 points in 13 of his last 15 games. His rise has been a key factor in Portland staying just three games below .500 at midseason.

Without Avdija, the Trail Blazers committed 22 turnovers, recorded only 20 assists, and attempted just 17 free throws against Golden State. Avdija averages 11.3 free-throw attempts per month.

"Without Deni, the team had to find a new identity to play, both offensively and defensively," Splitter said.

The loss marked Portland’s second straight defeat following a season-best five-game winning streak. Forward Jerami Grant, sidelined with an Achilles issue, is listed as questionable after missing the past 14 games.

The Hawks are 2-1 on a four-game road trip after a 141-116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, which ended their three-game win streak. Los Angeles shot 57.8% from the field, including 55.9% from three-point range.

"We've got to get better collectively," Hawks coach Quin Snyder said of their defensive struggles. "It doesn't matter who's on the floor. We need five guys to be connected, aggressive, and disciplined on the defensive end."

Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 26 points, including five three-pointers, but the team was outrebounded 47-32 and made just 13 of 46 shots from beyond the arc.

CJ McCollum scored 25 points in his second game with the Hawks since being acquired from Washington in the Trae Young trade. Corey Kispert added 19 points in his second game after a two-point debut.

Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), Zaccharie Risacher (knee), and Luke Kennard (neck) all sat out against the Lakers. Kennard is questionable for Thursday, while Porzingis and Risacher are ruled out for the fourth consecutive game.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. Portland swept the two-game series last season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters