Blazers' Roster Woes Deepen: Simons Latest to Hit the Sidelines

Oh, the Portland Trail Blazers. It just feels like one of those seasons, doesn't it? Every time you think maybe, just maybe, they're about to turn a corner or get a bit of luck, something else pops up to make things even tougher. And wouldn't you know it, right before a crucial clash against the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder, another key player has been sidelined.

This time, it's Anfernee Simons, who unfortunately won't be suiting up tonight. The team announced he's out due to a non-COVID illness. Honestly, you've got to feel for the guy, and frankly, for the team as a whole. Simons, as we all know, is a pivotal piece, a genuine offensive spark plug who can really light up the scoreboard when he's on.

His absence is, quite frankly, another gut punch to an already beleaguered roster. Think about it: we're still without the promising young Scoot Henderson, nursing an ankle injury, and the veteran savvy of Malcolm Brogdon, who's been dealing with back issues. And then, of course, there's the season-long absence of Robert Williams III, whose knee injury has kept him off the court since practically day one. It’s a revolving door of who’s in and who’s out, and it makes consistency almost impossible to achieve.

So, what's a coach like Chauncey Billups supposed to do? He’s been forced to dig deep into his bench, often relying on young talent still finding their NBA rhythm or even players called up from the G-League just to fill out the roster. It’s a testament to their resilience, sure, but it’s also an incredibly challenging situation to navigate game after game.

Tonight’s game against the Thunder, who are playing some fantastic basketball, was always going to be an uphill battle. But now, with Simons out and the team even more short-handed, that hill just got a whole lot steeper. It’s a tough spot, no doubt, but here’s hoping the remaining Blazers can band together and show some real fight despite the overwhelming odds. That's all you can really ask for, isn't it?