The Portland Trail Blazers made a unique move on Saturday night by starting five rookies against Denver, which has only happened once before in NBA history when starters were first recorded over 50 years ago.
In this lineup, Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 draft pick, joined Duop Reath, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, and Rayan Rupert against the reigning NBA champions.
The last time a team fielded five rookies to start was on April 26, 2012, when the Golden State Warriors did so against San Antonio. Klay Thompson was among the rookies that night, alongside Charles Jenkins, Chris Wright, Jeremy Tyler, and Mickell Gladness, in their final game of that lockout-shortened season.
This unique lineup decision by the Trail Blazers comes amid their challenges in the Western Conference, where they currently hold the second-worst record. Additionally, they are facing injury issues with key players like Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Shaedon Sharpe, and Malcolm Brogdon sidelined.
