PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Trail Blazers started five rookies in Saturday's 114-111 loss to the Denver Nuggets, only the second time that has happened since starters were first tracked on NBA box scores more than 50 years ago.
Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the draft, was in the lineup along with Duop Reath, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara and Rayan Rupert against the reigning NBA champions.
That was the first time an NBA team sent out five rookies to start since the Golden State Warriors did so on April 26, 2012, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Klay Thompson started that night against the San Antonio Spurs along with Charles Jenkins, Chris Wright, Jeremy Tyler and Mickell Gladness in their final game of that lockout-shortened season.
Starters were first tracked on NBA box scores during the 1971-72 campaign.
The Trail Blazers have the second-worst record in the Western Conference. They are missing key players Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Shaedon Sharpe and Malcolm Brogdon because of injuries.
The Nuggets were missing stars Nikola Jokic (back/hip) and Jamal Murray (ankle).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
