Portland Trail Blazers Hand OKC Thunder First Loss of Season
After a sluggish opening, the Portland Trail Blazers surged back to defeat the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121–119, handing OKC their first loss of the season. The Thunder rested several key players, but still put up a stiff challenge.
Thunder’s Short-Handed Effort
Despite missing key contributors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Wiggins, and a cast of lesser-known players delivered a strong performance, surprising with their energy and shot-making.
“Wait, who is that? How many threes has he hit?”
Early in the game, Portland’s shooting struggles were glaring—they couldn’t buy a basket. But as time went on, their rhythm returned, and by halftime they were within striking distance.
Holiday Leads the Comeback
Jrue Holiday proved crucial for the Blazers. His hot hand in the second quarter sparked a rally, and his clutch shooting in the second half helped seal the lead. Paired with tough defense, Holiday posted 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists while shooting 6-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Numbers That Mattered
- Final Score: 121–119, Blazers win
- Team Threes: 19 of 43 attempts (44.2%)
- First win of the season while attempting fewer shots than their opponent
Defense and Efficiency
For Portland, defense continues to set the tone. While sometimes it only produces more defensive possessions, tonight it translated into momentum and scoring opportunities. The blend of improved shooting and timely stops carried them through the final minutes.
Author’s Summary
The Blazers rallied from a poor start behind Jrue Holiday’s shooting and firm defense, outlasting a short-handed Thunder team to earn their first statement win of the season.