They needed this one.
The Portland Trail Blazers finally broke their six-game losing streak with a buzzer beating 126-124 victory over the Denver Nuggets at the Moda Center. This win was a much-needed boost for the team and fans alike, showcasing the Blazers’ ability to execute under pressure and compete with top-tier opponents. And, you know, just like win a friggin a basketball game.
The game came down to the wire, with Anfernee Simons delivering a clutch game-winning shot as time expired. With 16.8 seconds left on the clock and the score tied at 124, head coach Chauncey Billups entrusted Simons to take the final shot. Simons, who had been impressive throughout the game, didn’t disappoint. He attacked the basket, using a familiar right handed floater to bank in the game-winner over Russell Westbrook.
Simons finished the night with an impressive stat line of 28 points and 10 assists. On Thursday, we also saw early signs of a Simon’s chemistry with Shaedon Sharpe is beginning to flourish, with Sharpe contributing 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists without a turnover.
This win serves as validation for the Blazers’ approach and the potential of their young core. It demonstrates that when they play the right way, share the ball, and trust in each other, they can compete with and beat quality opponents like the Nuggets.
Sure they’re going to lose a bunch, too. But they needed a win when playing well as opposed to a handful of “good but in a loss” (and way worse!) moments they’ve had over the last couple weeks. It’s much more fun to learn from a victory than cobble together lessons from endless losses. Every so often it’s nice to get in the W column. They needed one. They got it Thursday.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Blazers’ victory over the Nuggets, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
• Deandre Ayton’s return from illness
• Deni Avdija’s strong performance and playing time discussion
• Chauncey Billups’ thoughts on building winning habits
