Regardless of the significant losses in the injury column, the Trail Blazers reeled off a 3-1 record last week. Fueled by superb performances from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Blazers—for the most part—advanced in a fresh batch of NBA power rankings.
ESPN’s latest rankings did not feature a change in position for the Blazers. Portland landed at No. 12 in their rankings, again. ESPN’s Royce Young explained that Lillard is tasked with keeping the Blazers afloat in the weeks ahead.
Another season brings another adverse situation the Blazers must endure. Jusuf Nurkic will be out at least eight weeks because of a broken wrist, thinning the team’s front line and putting even more pressure on its backcourt.