Post by : Maya Rahman

In a thrilling NBA Cup encounter on Friday night, the Portland Trail Blazers took down the Golden State Warriors 127-123. Deni Avdija was the standout performer, showcasing a remarkable game with 26 points, a personal-best 14 assists, and six rebounds that propelled Portland to victory away from home.

While not shooting at his best—converting six out of 14 attempts—Avdija excelled at the free-throw line, sinking 12 of 13 shots including two critical makes with just 9.8 seconds remaining. These late free throws marked Portland's first road win against the Warriors since January 1, 2021, as his steady scoring and playmaking were vital throughout.

The Trail Blazers also benefitted from strong contributions across the team. Donovan Clingan achieved a career-high 22 points alongside 10 rebounds, completing a valuable double-double. Caleb Love also excelled with 26 points while Toumani Camara added 20 points. Off the bench, Sidy Cissoko contributed 15 points, ensuring a smooth flow in Portland's offense. These efforts helped sustain the Blazers' lead for most of the second half.

The Warriors made it a tough contest, with Stephen Curry delivering an impressive performance of 38 points and nine 3-pointers. His sharpshooting kept Golden State in contention right until the end. A pair of crucial three-pointers in the final moments gave the Warriors a glimmer of hope, but Portland's defense proved resilient. Curry was particularly on fire during a second-quarter stretch where he went 6-for-6 from the field, pushing the Warriors to a 72-65 lead at halftime after a spectacular 44-point quarter.

Despite their strong second quarter, the Warriors faded as the game progressed. With 4:08 left, trailing 115-111, they lost momentum due to an offensive foul on Butler. Coach Steve Kerr's review challenge failed, and the call stood firm, which hindered Golden State's attempt to close the gap. Portland capitalized on this moment to safeguard their lead and finish strong.

Brandin Podziemski and Butler each contributed 20 points for Golden State, while Draymond Green chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds. Unfortunately, the Warriors marked their third consecutive loss, as their overall execution and defense fell short against the balanced Portland attack.

With this win, the Trail Blazers boosted their NBA Cup record to 2-1, enhancing their chances for further progression in the tournament, whereas the Warriors stumbled to 1-2, increasing the urgency for victories in upcoming matches.

Prior to the matchup, Golden State honored the 50th anniversary of their 1975 championship, with various legends in attendance, including Hall of Famer Rick Barry. Although the celebration lifted spirits, it didn’t translate into a win for the Warriors.

Portland began the game strong, as Camara and Clingan combined for 16 points and six rebounds in the first quarter, but the Warriors responded vigorously in the second, driven by Curry's remarkable shooting.

In summary, the Trail Blazers' cohesive teamwork, exceptional free-throw shooting, and Avdija's all-around gameplay proved decisive. With growing confidence and the emergence of younger players, Portland is demonstrating noticeable progress in the NBA Cup.

#Sports News