The wait is over.
Per multiple reports, Carmelo Anthony will make his debut with the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center.
Portland Trail Blazers new forward Carmelo Anthony will be activated for tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 19, 2019
According to ESPN's Marc Spears, Anthony will get the start and is expected to play around 20 minutes.
Carmelo Anthony is starting https://t.co/BdAvIxV6bQ
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) November 19, 2019
After reports surrounding Anthony's signing surfaced last week, the Trail Blazers made the news official earlier. He joins Portland after a being away from the NBA for over a year – his last NBA appearance came in early November 2018 as a member of the Houston Rockets.
He's back.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 19, 2019
Welcome to Portland, @carmeloanthony!
🔗: https://t.co/4b1lNXcYQS pic.twitter.com/AZqOJhG51g
The 35-year-old Anthony will look to help turn things around for the Blazers, who have gotten out to a 5-9 start to the season. While Carmelo will add a boost, Portland will be without leading scorer Damian Lillard, who will miss the game with back spasms, per Casey Holdahl.
Damian Lillard (back spasms) is out for tonight’s game
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) November 19, 2019
Anthony and the Blazers will take on the Pelicans Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. (IST).