Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu has been sidelined for over three weeks after suffering a left calf strain in the first quarter of Portland's 124-121 victory versus the Phoenix Suns on November 11 at the Moda Center. The Trail Blazers have gone 5-7 in Aminu's absence after starting the season 6-2 and have seen their defensive efficiency worsen from 105.8 points per 100 possessions with Aminu starting, which ranked 23rd in the NBA, to 113.5 points per 100 possessions with Aminu sidelined, the worst defensive rating in the NBA during that stretch.
What's more, opponents shot 44.