DEANDRE AYTON NEWS

Questionable to return Tuesday Ayton is questionable to return to Tuesday's game versus the Heat due to a right hand sprain.

Impact Ayton began the second half in the locker room, with Duop Reath starting in his absence. Ayton likely suffered his injury after falling hard on his hand following a charge attempt by Kevin Love. While the 25-year-old big man returned to action shortly after, it appears that he is still dealing with the pain.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Massive double-double Sunday Ayton posted 26 points (11-16 FG, 4-4 FT), 19 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 37 minutes during Sunday's 93-80 loss to the Hornets.

Impact The Trail Blazers struggled badly in this game and only accounted for 80 total points, but Ayton was impressive down low and carried the team, scoring nearly 33.3 percent of the team's total points and also grabbing his second-highest rebounding tally of the season. There's no question the team's struggles play a part in a player's upside, but Ayton has been posting solid numbers when available this season. He's averaging 14.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest, averaging a double-double for a sixth consecutive campaign.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Top rebounder in double-double Ayton finished with 22 points (11-17 FG), 10 rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes during Friday's 127-112 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Ayton led all Portland players in rebounds while handing out a trio of assists and ending as one of three players with 20 or more points in another double-double performance. Ayton has recorded at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in eight games this season, including in two of his last three contests.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Massive regression in loss Ayton fouled out of Thursday's 128-91 loss to the Timberwolves after recording two points (1-5 FG), four rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals over 20 minutes.

Impact Portland gave up on Ayton early as he failed to gain traction opposite Rudy Gobert. He finished with only 20 minutes of court time, which was his lowest minute total of the season. Duop Reath and Ibou Badji took over, but Ayton's job is safe despite Thursday's result.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Records 18/17 double-double Ayton supplied 18 points (9-18 FG), 17 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals across 37 minutes during Saturday's 93-84 loss to New Orleans.

Impact Ayton propped the team up amid the litany of backcourt absences as he joined Jerami Grant in an admirable effort to stay competitive. Ayton's defensive contribution was significant, and he was critical in containing New Orleans' balanced offensive attack. His 17 rebounds marked his second-best total of the season and extended his double-double streak to 12 games.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Saturday Ayton (illness) will play in Saturday's game against the Pelicans, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.

Impact Ayton was unable to play Thursday against Detroit, so Jabari Walker drew the start at center and put up 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks in 43 minutes. Although Walker could return to the bench, he'll likely maintain a large role for the shorthanded Trail Blazers.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Saturday Ayton (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Pelicans.

Impact Ayton was unable to play Thursday against Detroit, and Duop Reath (knee) was sidelined as well. Jabari Walker started at center and ended up playing 43 minutes with 17 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Early part of Deandre Ayton's tenure in Portland featured tardiness and tantrums Although Deandre Ayton’s play has spiked for the better in the past month, his first months in Portland were defined by tardiness and tantru...

FEBRUARY 9 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Ruled out against Detroit Ayton (illness) will not play against Detroit on Thursday, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Impact Ayton will be considered day-to-day going forward. If Duop Reath (knee) is given the green light, he's expected to start at center for Portland.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday Ayton is questionable for Thursday's game against the Pistons due to an illness.

Impact If Ayton is unable to give it a go, then Duop Reath would get an opportunity to start and he'd make for an intriguing streamer. Ayton managers can expect to get another update following Thursday's shootaround.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Bounce-back performance Sunday Ayton ended Sunday's 112-103 loss to the Nuggets with 27 points (13-19 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 39 minutes.

Impact Ayton was held to eight points (3-6 FG) during Friday's loss to Denver, but he struck back with a vengeance Sunday, recording his seventh game of 20-plus points through 34 appearances this season. The 25-year-old is averaging 19.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 63.3 percent from the field in 34.9 minutes across his past seven games.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Jokić Made Deandre Ayton Look So Silly With the Best Pump Fake of the NBA Season The Nuggets’ two-time NBA MVP deftly deked the Trail Blazers big man en route to an easy basket.

FEBRUARY 5 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Nikola Jokić Made Deandre Ayton Look So Silly With the Best Pump Fake of the NBA Season The Nuggets’ two-time NBA MVP deftly deked the Trail Blazers big man en route to an easy basket.

FEBRUARY 5 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Records double-double in win Ayton provided 20 points (10-17 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 35 minutes during Wednesday's 119-116 victory over Milwaukee.

Impact Ayton had a productive night against the Bucks. Although both teams ended up with 39 rebounds each, Brook Lopez was out-rebounded 11-4 by Ayton, who has recorded a double-double in four of his last five games.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Chips in with double-double Ayton chipped in 22 points (9-12 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block across 37 minutes during Sunday's 104-96 loss to the Bulls.

Impact Ayton recorded his third straight double-double, and he seems to have shaken off the rust completely after missing 12 consecutive games between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17 due to a nagging knee problem. Ayton will try to keep this streak going when the Blazers take on the 76ers on Monday, though a tough matchup against Joel Embiid (knee) might be waiting for him if the reigning MVP ends up being available for this matchup.

JANUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Leading rebounder in double-double Ayton closed Friday's 116-100 loss to San Antonio with 20 points (10-17 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes.

Impact Ayton led all Portland players in rebounds to go along with a pair of assists and steals and ending as one of two players with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Ayton has tallied at least 20 point sin four games this season, posting a double-double in two straight contests.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Snatches 17 boards in OT win Ayton racked up 18 points (8-13 FG, 2-2 FT), 17 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 41 minutes during Wednesday's 137-131 overtime victory over the Rockets.

Impact Ayton recorded his 13th double-double in Wednesday's win, and it was the first time he reached that mark since Dec. 21 against the Wizards. He's played four games since returning from a 12-game absence due to left knee tendinitis, and his 41 minutes played was his most of the season. Over that span, Ayton has averaged 10.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks over 30.0 minutes per game.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

NBA player averaging 12.5 ppg says he's got 'nothing to prove' Deandre Ayton believes he's earned the benefit of the doubt after 5.5 years in the Association

JANUARY 24 • DEADSPIN.COM

Held to five points Ayton closed Tuesday's 111-109 loss to the Thunder with five points (2-7 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and two assists over 27 minutes.

Impact This was Ayton's second dud in a row as he was again held to single-digit points. He has looked a step slow since returning from his knee injury, posting averages of 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.7 blocks over his last three games. Meanwhile, Duop Reath continues to find a lot of success off the bench.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 30 minutes Friday Ayton (knee) recorded 12 points (6-15 FG), eight rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 30 minutes in Friday's 118-115 win over the Pacers.

Impact Ayton was back in action for the first time since Dec. 23 after an extended absence due to left knee tendinitis. He immediately reclaimed his spot in the starting five from Duop Reath and didn't seem to be under a heavy minutes restriction in the Trail Blazers' narrow win. Ayton's efficiency left something to be desired, but his solid rebounds and blocks total helped salvage his night. The 25-year-old should continue to approach 30 minutes in competitive contests now that he's healthy again, but the 12-29 Trail Blazers' propensity for getting blown out means that Ayton's playing time could often be volatile.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Ayton (knee) will start at center in Friday's matchup with the Pacers, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Impact Ayton will presumably replace Duop Reath in the starting lineup. The big man is returning from a 12 game absence, so Portland could opt to exercise caution with his workload.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Friday Ayton (knee) is probable for Friday's game against the Pacers, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Impact Ayton was cleared to return from his knee injury Wednesday against the Nets, but he was unable to make it to the stadium due to poor weather conditions. Assuming he gets the green light to return, Ayton will likely replace Duop Reath in the starting lineup after missing the past 12 games for Portland.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Deandre Ayton's ice capades the latest embarrassment in Portland's rebuild Trail Blazers seem OK with assets siphoning off all leverage before the trade deadline

JANUARY 18 • DEADSPIN.COM

Blazers' Deandre Ayton unable to make it to game vs. Nets due to ice All set to make his reutrn after missing 13 games with knee injury, center Deandre Ayton couldn't make it out of his neighborhood for Wednes...

JANUARY 18 • USATODAY.COM

Blazers' Deandre Ayton to Miss Game Because His Neighborhood Is Too Icy Icy roads can cause snow days for NBA players, just like the rest of us.

JANUARY 18 • KANSASCITY.COM