Quentin Grimes lit up the court with a season-high 31 points, with 14 of those coming in the crucial fourth quarter, as the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers edged out the Portland Trail Blazers 109-103 on Sunday night.
Missing key players like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Kelly Oubre Jr. due to injuries, the Sixers needed someone to step up, and Grimes delivered. His performance was a testament to his ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed it most.
Justin Edwards also shone brightly, contributing 21 points, while rookie VJ Edgecombe added 18 points and snagged a career-high 12 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the season. This kind of depth is what makes the Sixers a formidable opponent, even when their stars are sidelined.
On the other side, Deni Avdija led the charge for Portland with 25 points, and Jerami Grant chipped in 20. However, the Trail Blazers struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 32.7% on 17 of 53 attempts. Donovan Clingan put in a solid effort with 11 points and 15 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to tip the scales in Portland's favor.
The game was tight at halftime, with Portland holding a slim 54-53 lead. But the Sixers found their rhythm in the third quarter, stretching their lead to as many as 10 points, thanks in part to Edwards' nine-point burst in the period.
Philadelphia looked to be cruising with a 101-87 advantage with just over five minutes left on the clock. Yet, Portland wasn't ready to fold, launching a 10-0 run that brought them back into contention. But clutch plays from Edgecombe and a pivotal steal and slam by Edwards in the final minutes helped the Sixers slam the door shut on any hopes of a Portland comeback.
Looking ahead, the 76ers will embark on a three-game road trip starting in Denver on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers continue their journey with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. Both teams will be eager to build on this game, making for some exciting basketball in the days to come.