Cooper Albers previews Monday’s NBA matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and Brooklyn Nets.
Inter-conference squads meet Monday night for the first time this season, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Portland Trail Blazers at Barclays Center.
The Trail Blazers (32–36, 10th West) head to the Big Apple on the second night of a back-to-back, coming off Sunday’s loss in Philadelphia, and have lost eight of their last 15 games as they cling to the final Western Conference play-in spot. The Nets (17–50, 13th East) have dropped 13 of their last 15 contests — also capped by a road loss to the Sixers on Saturday — and return home without several key starters.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Portland Trail Blazers
QUESTIONABLE: Robert Williams III (Knee)
DOUBTFUL: Vit Krejci (Calf)
OUT: Shaedon Sharpe (Fibula), Damian Lillard (Achilles)
Brooklyn Nets
OUT: Michael Porter Jr. (Ankle), Noah Clowney (Rest), Egor Demin (Plantar Fascia), Terance Mann (Achilles), Day’Ron Sharpe (Thumb)
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Portland enters as a 10.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +370 underdog. The game’s total is set at 221.5 points.
Trail Blazers vs. Nets Preview
Portland Trail Blazers Preview
The Trail Blazers have been increasingly volatile since second-leading scorer Shaedon Sharpe hit the sidelines with a calf strain turned fibula stress reaction in early February. They’ve gone just 7–8 over their last 15 games, while posting the NBA’s sixth-worst offense during that stretch.
Still, Portland has held onto the Western Conference’s final play-in spot with 14 games to go, leaning on its strong defensive identity — anchored by dominant seven-footer Donovan Clingan. Likewise, the team features steady veteran experience from the likes of Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday, along with All-Star acumen in Deni Avdija. The former lottery pick averages 24.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
Brooklyn Nets Preview
To the surprise of no one, 2026 has not been the year of the Nets. Since the calendar flipped, Brooklyn sports the worst record in the NBA (7–30) and ranks dead last on both ends of the floor.
The franchise has won just two of its last 15 games, leaving little optimism for a late-season surge. Compounding the issue, Brooklyn’s offensive engine, Michael Porter Jr., has been out of commission since March 10 with a sprained ankle. Meanwhile, Egor Demin and Day’Ron Sharpe are out for the season, Terance Mann is sidelined, and Noah Clowney is resting Monday night.
“Help us, Nic Claxton. You’re our only hope.”
Trail Blazers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet
Portland has the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, according to Tankathon, and two matchups with the woeful Nets are certainly a leading factor. While the Blazers have stumbled in Sharpe’s absence, Avdija and Co. are more than capable of walloping Brooklyn’s B-team. Expect another Barclays Center blowout on Monday night.