Ayton, Henderson Injured in Blazers' Loss to Nuggets

The Portland Trail Blazers are facing significant injury challenges as they approach the NBA All-Star break, with center Deandre Ayton and point guard Scoot Henderson both ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Denver Nuggets. Ayton suffered a left calf strain, which will sideline him for at least a month, while Henderson is dealing with a right ankle sprain, impacting his participation in the Rising Stars game. Additionally, the Blazers' lineup is further weakened with key players like Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, and Kris Murray listed as questionable due to various injuries. Despite Ayton's recent strong performances, including averaging 17.1 points and 10.8 rebounds over the past 13 games, the Blazers suffered a heavy 146-117 loss to the Nuggets on Monday. In that game, Nikola Jokic led Denver with 40 points, contributing to the Nuggets' seven-game winning streak. The Blazers will have a break until February 20, when they face the Los Angeles Lakers.