The Portland Trail Blazers were without one of their star players Wednesday night, but it wasn't because of an injury.
Employees across the U.S. are staying at home due to the snowstorm. In fact, an NFL playoff game and a Buffalo Sabers game in Buffalo, New York, were postponed due to a travel ban and several feet of snow.
On the other side of the country, severe weather has frozen roads in the Portland, Oregon area, including those in Deandre Ayton's neighborhood.
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Portland Trail Blazers No. 2 Deandre Ayton plays against the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at Moda Center on December 16, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Amanda Roman/Getty Images)
So, like many ordinary people, Ayton was unable to go to work on Wednesday. Therefore, he missed the match.
Ayton had missed the past 11 games due to injury. Head coach Chauncey Billups said Ayton would be fine to play Wednesday if he can get to the arena.
According to NBA.com, Billups said Ayton “tried to fight the slab of ice coming from the neighborhood” and sent personnel at team events to no avail.
Portland Trail Blazers No. 2 Deandre Ayton dribbles during the third quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center on December 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. Utah Jazz won 122-114. (Arika Jenner/Getty Images)
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Ayton was dealing with issues with his right knee.
Ayton was drafted No. 1 overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2018 out of Arizona State and spent his first five seasons there. He signed an extension with the club before the 2022-23 season, but tensions mounted and he was traded to Portland as part of the blockbuster three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard from the Pacific Northwest to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Portland Trail Blazers No. 2 Deandre Ayton plays during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on November 30, 2023. (Ron Schwan/Getty Images)
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Ayton, a Bahamas native, has averaged 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds in his career, with his 13.1 points per game this season a career-low.
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