Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Posts 14 points in finale
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Reath finished Sunday's 121-82 loss to the Kings with 14 points (5-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, three steals and one block across 24 minutes.
Though Deandre Ayton (back) sat out the season finale, Reath wasn't called upon to start at center, as the Trail Blazers instead moved Moses Brown up to the top unit. Brown ended up playing just 15 minutes, however, with Reath instead seeing the most usage of any Portland center. The 27-year-old rookie closed the 2023-24 campaign with averages of 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 three-pointers, 1.0 assists, 0.6 blocks and 0.5 steals in 17.9 minutes per game over 68 appearances while serving as Ayton's top backup for most of the season. Both Ayton and Reath are under contract for the upcoming season, but it's unclear if Portland will head into 2024-25 with Reath as the primary backup. Robert Williams is on Portland's books through 2025-26 and had been earmarked for the backup center role before he underwent season-ending surgery in November to reconstruct a torn ligament in his right knee. Williams is expected to be fully healthy in time for training camp, and he could push Reath back down to third on the depth chart.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Heads back to bench
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Reath isn't in the starting five for Friday's game versus Miami, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Deandre Ayton's return to action will send Reath back to the bench. Reath is averaging 4.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 11.8 minutes across his last five appearances coming off the bench.
Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Excels with 24 points in loss
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Reath ended Saturday's 114-111 loss to Denver with 24 points (9-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 26 minutes.
Reath stepped into the starting lineup again amid Deandre Ayton's (elbow) absence, joining a crew of rookies in the first unit. The youthful combo almost pulled off a win against the short-handed Nuggets, and Reath was able to find space without Nikola Jokic's (hip) imposing presence. The Trail Blazers could use several different lineup configurations as they run out the clock this year, and the team will likely explore Reath further as part of its future plans.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Joins first unit
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Reath has been confirmed as the Blazers' starting center for Friday night's game against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
It was reported a few hours before tipoff that Reath was in line for the start, and it's since been made official. Reath should see plenty of opportunities to make an impact with Deandre Ayton (elbow) out of commission.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Likely starter vs. Clippers
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Reath is expected to start at center Friday against Los Angeles, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Deandre Ayton (elbow) has been ruled out with elbow tendinitis, so it'll be Reath who's in line for the spot start Friday night. His last start dates back to March 8 against the Rockets, when he finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and one block in 32 minutes.
Reath will come off the bench for Saturday's game against the Raptors.
This is an expected move with Deandre Ayton (hand) back in the lineup. Reath was terrific in his previous five games, averaging 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 2.4 three-pointers.
Reath produced 26 points (10-14 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 39 minutes during Monday's 119-114 loss to Minnesota.
Reath delivered his best scoring output of the season in a game the Trail Blazers went toe-to-toe against one of the best teams in the Western Conference. The big man has been trusted into a bigger-than-expected role this season due to Deandre Ayton's persistent injury issues, which ruled him out Monday due to a hand problem, and Reath has performed well, particularly when given enough minutes. He's averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks per game when starting, but his fantasy upside is tied to Ayton's availability. As such, it's unclear what role Reath will have when the Blazers face the Thunder on Wednesday.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Scores 18 in Friday's win
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Reath ended with 18 points (8-16 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 23 minutes during Friday's 122-92 win over the Grizzlies.
Getting the start at center in place of Deandre Ayton (hand), Reath delivered his best scoring performance he dropped 25 points on the Kings back on Dec. 26. When Ayton is healthy, Reath typically sees minutes in the teens, giving him little fantasy appeal. Should Portland's starter in the middle miss additional time, however, his 27-year-old rookie understudy might have some DFS appeal.
The Trail Blazers converted Reath's two-way contract into a three-year, standard NBA contract Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Despite his status as a two-way player, Reath had spent most of the 2023-24 season with the Trail Blazers as the top backup to Deandre Ayton. The rookie is averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks in 17.4 minutes per game in 40 appearances (11 starts) this season.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Good to go Tuesday
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Reath (knee) will be available for Tuesday's game against Minnesota.
Reath missed the past two games for Portland, but he was considered probable to return before this update. Reath is expected to soak up the backup center minutes behind Deandre Ayton going forward.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Expected back for Tuesday
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Reath (knee) is probable for Tuesday's game against Minnesota.
Reath has missed two straight contests while recovering from a right knee injury, but he should be cleared in time to take the court Tuesday evening. The team should have another update on his availability closer to tipoff.
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Trail Blazers' Duop Reath: Not playing Saturday
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Reath (knee) is out against New Orleans on Saturday, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.
Reath has been bothered by a nagging knee problem and is set to miss a second consecutive game. His next chance to play will come against Minnesota on Wednesday, and if that's the case, he'll likely have a role off the bench with Deandre Ayton and Jarace Walker both being available.
