(Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe is expected to miss approximately six months after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
The injury occurred during a recent offseason workout and is expected to keep Sharpe sidelined for a significant portion of the 2026-27 season. The setback comes after the 23-year-old enjoyed the best scoring season of his young NBA career.
Sharpe Coming Off Breakout Season
Sharpe averaged a career-high 20.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 50 games during the 2025-26 season. He shot 45.2% from the field, 33.7% from three-point range and 78.7% from the free throw line.
A stress fracture in his left fibula interrupted his season and caused him to miss 32 games. He returned before the end of the regular season and appeared in all five of Portland’s playoff games.
Sharpe struggled to produce at his usual level in the postseason, averaging 7.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game.
Injury Adds to Sharpe’s Recent Health Issues
The latest injury represents another significant setback for Sharpe, who has already dealt with multiple health issues during his first four NBA seasons.
Sharpe will likely undergo surgery this week, according to The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman. If his recovery follows the projected six-month timeline, he could return around the end of February, leaving roughly six weeks of the regular season.
The Blazers selected Sharpe with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after his lone season at Kentucky ended without him appearing in a game.
Portland Has Guard Depth
Despite losing Sharpe for an extended period, Portland has plenty of experience in its backcourt.
The Trail Blazers have veterans Damian Lillard, Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday on the roster, while Scoot Henderson provides additional depth at the position. Deni Avdija can also contribute as a point forward after taking on a larger ball-handling role last season.
Sharpe is entering the first season of the four-year, $90 million rookie-scale extension he signed with Portland last year. He will earn approximately $20 million in 2026-27.
The Blazers will now have to navigate the first half of the season without one of their most explosive young players as they look to build on last season’s return to the postseason.
