Bam Adebayo Injury Status for Blazers vs Heat

The Trail Blazers will be missing at least two key young pieces. Rookie center Donovan Clingan will miss a fourth straight game with a sprained left ankle, two-time All-Defensive wing Matisse Thybulle is unavailable with a right ankle sprain. Two-way player Taze Moore and young guard Rayan Rupert are on assignment to Portland's NBAGL affiliate, the Rip City Remix.

Adebayo has taken a surprising step backwards offensively for the 21-20 Heat this season. If he's available, he should give the 14-28 Trail Blazers plenty of guff on defense, however.

This year, the 27-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist is averaging 15.7 points, his lowest output since 2018-19, on a middling .454/.277/.720 slash line — those shooting numbers are just okay for a wing or guard, but disastrous for a center, especially one who plays primarily in the paint. Adebayo is also pulling down 9.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks a night across 40 healthy games.

Given six-time All-Star Heat small forward Jimmy Butler's consistent absenteeism (either thanks to injury or team suspension) and Adebayo's regression as a scorer, if any Heat player is going to make the All-Star team this season, it's looking like 2022 Sixth Man of the Year shooting guard Tyler Herro, who has taken a major leap as a scorer.

Through 41 contests this season, the 25-year-old is averaging 24.0 points while slashing .478/.407/.866, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Tuesday's road clash tips off at 4:30 p.m. PT at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Trail Blazers' Current Season Trajectory Sets Them Up for Massive Failure Down the Line

Blazers' Scoot Henderson Finally Showing Real Potential

For the latest Portland Trail Blazers news and notes, stay glued to Trail Blazers On SI.