The Portland Trail Blazers already have their work cut out for them as they face the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night. Unfortunately for the Rip City squad, their climb just got steeper as Hassan Whiteside, after being initially listed as questionable, has been deemed as “out.”
Per Coach Stotts, Hassan Whiteside will NOT play tonight against the Bucks.
— Brooke Olzendam (@brookeolzendam) January 12, 2020
Whiteside has been dealing with an upper respiratory illness but braved through it in their last game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his place, Anthony Tolliver will start on the night, per Blazers beat reporter Casey Holdahl.
Tolliver’s task isn’t enviable as the Bucks present a menacing frontline with Brook Lopez, who can stretch the floor, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, perhaps one of the most, if not the most, unstoppable forces in the NBA today. To make matters worse, the Blazers are already without backup big man Skal Labissiere who’s also nursing an injury of his own.
After a tumultuous final season with the Miami Heat in 2018-19, Whiteside has seen a resurgence in Portland. In 36 games, all starts, the 7-footer holds averages of 15.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. He’s also shooting 59.8 percent from the floor.
Whiteside is arguably having his best campaign since his breakout season in 2016-17 but the question remains as to how the Blazers will manage his minutes when fellow big man Jusuf Nurkic returns from injury.
Nurkic was the Blazers’ starting center prior to Whiteside’s arrival and the Bosnian Beast has more to offer in terms of skills. Nurkic will likely be eased into action, giving Whiteside an extended run as the team’s top center.
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