While waiting to board their flight back home they enjoy watching football or listening to music at home. Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers will miss several weeks due to an injury incurred at training camp, while Shaedon Sharpe may miss months, following operations on their right knee last November that saw them miss all but six games during 2023-24 season. On Friday afternoon the team released news that Williams experienced setback in his comeback from surgery as his return on court failed. Early in camp, Williams suffered an initial strain to his left hamstring that will require further evaluation in two weeks; should everything go as expected and his recovery timeline holds, Williams could potentially return at the start of regular season play. Sharpe was in 32 games last season before having core muscle surgery in February to address an injury to his abdominal wall and core muscle group. While attending camp this week, 21-year-old Sharpe “suffered from a small posterior labral tear in his left shoulder – this tear has since been confirmed by an MRI,” reported by the Blazers. Sharpe will likely miss four to six weeks following surgery, according to coach Chauncey Billups at practice Friday. At that time, Billups seemed optimistic regarding Williams’ condition: “What makes me optimistic is it has nothing to do with his knee, which is great news,” Billups told reporters. “And to me,” Billups continued, “it just shows how quickly things can progress when you haven’t played for so long and start pressing yourself with every play you do – opening yourself up for injuries like hammys and groins can occur, though obviously this stings but is ultimately positive in some way.” Billups noted that Williams didn’t sustain an injury on any specific play but rather sustained it gradually throughout a match.” “I think it was probably just the intensity of the workout,” Williams’ trainer suggested, noting his satisfaction with how Williams has approached his return-to-play program: “I’ve just been so thrilled by his dedication. Always here early for therapy – something different from him! So yeah, he makes me happy and that makes my day. So yeah – happy for Rob; just happy about everything with Rob.” He went on to note his satisfaction that Williams will return in due time: “But this shouldn’t get him down for long; just know he will.”
On Media Day on Sept 30th, Williams told reporters it had been “an extremely long seven months, an extremely hard fight back”, yet he felt ready to get out there and show what he can do. Joe Cronin of Portland general manager told reporters the same day that Williams has been playing 5-on-5 basketball for “three or so weeks”, although not fully cleared (without restrictions or limitations) yet; nevertheless he had been “really active on court” and would continue ramping up during training camp. As much as it would be nice for this ramp-up to continue uninterrupted, Williams must postpone it due to a grade 1 hamstring strain which does not involve his knee that required surgery last season. Williams turned 27 this month and joined the Lakers via Jrue Holiday trade just prior to last training camp season. When healthy, he’s one of the league’s premier rim protectors and lob threats. However, 2022 brought two knee surgeries, leaving more minutes for No. 7 draft pick Donovan Clingan and reserve big Duop Reath to play. Portland will likely start Deandre Ayton at center, while they possess enough frontcourt depth for Portland to start Deandre Ayton as expected. Sharpe assured reporters at media day that he is 100% healthy and “really excited for the season”, recalling how things were “rolling smoothly” before his injury occurred. Sharpe was selected No. 19 overall during Portland’s draft lottery this June. Scoot Henderson was selected seventh overall in 2023; together they will form the Blazers backcourt of tomorrow. If either player should become unavailable due to injury, Dalano Banton might see more chances for success on shorthanded Blazer teams than previously imagined.
Portland will begin their four preseason matches against Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 11 before commencing regular-season play against Golden State Warriors two days later on Oct. 23.
While most people know what an Avonlea is, few actually take time out from life’s demands to look up what this word actually stands for – such as visiting an airport!! So here we go again, this time I bring some serious company with me…
