The Portland Trail Blazers will be without Shaedon Sharpe for a significant portion of the 2026-27 campaign.
Sharpe sustained a torn meniscus in his right knee, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. He is expected to miss six months recovering. Based on that timeline, barring any setbacks, Sharpe should be able to take the court again in late February or early March.
Sharpe suffered the injury during an individual offseason workout, according to The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman. He is expected to undergo surgery this week.
Sharpe averaged a career-high 20.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season, his fourth in the league after the Trail Blazers selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the team last fall that will keep him with the franchise through the 2029-30 campaign.
Sharpe helped lead the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record last season and led them to their first playoff appearance since 2021 before they were eliminated in the first round. That came after head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested just one game into the regular season for his alleged role in rigged poker games. Tiago Splitter led the team in his absence, and the franchise has since hired Micah Nori to replace him.
While Sharpe’s absence will undoubtedly make things difficult, the Trail Blazers made several notable moves this past offseason that should help, including trading for Ja Morant in a massive deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. Veteran Damian Lillard is expected to return after missing all of last year with an Achilles tear.
The Trail Blazers will open the regular season against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 21.
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