Clippers, Trail Blazers agree to 5-player deal

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The Portland Trail Blazers traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, rookie Keon Johnson and a second-round pick in 2025.

The trade, coming just less than a week before the NBA's trade deadline, moved the Trail Blazers under the luxury-tax threshold.

Both teams are in danger of having to go through the play-in tournament to get to the playoffs.

The Clippers have won two of their last three to even their record at 27-27. They have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Lakers for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but trail Denver by 2 1/2 games for the sixth seed, which would avoid having to take part in the play-in tournament.

The Trail Blazers are 21-32 and in 10th place. They fell 96-93 at home to Oklahoma City on Friday night.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell, right, keeps the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles has floundered most of the season due to injuries to All Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George has missed the past 22 games due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his shooting elbow. Coach Ty Lue said an MRI is scheduled for George’s on Feb. 24 to determine if it is healing or whether he will need season-ending surgery.

The Clippers are 10-12 with George out of the lineup. Their next game is Sunday at home against Milwaukee.

"I hope he’s feeling good. Just something to look forward to. Hope is stronger than fear," Lue said Thursday night after the