The Portland Trail Blazers ran into a buzzsaw at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, falling hard to the New York Knicks, 127-97. That’s five straight wins now for the Knicks, who are hitting their stride, and four consecutive losses for a Blazers squad still searching for consistency - and maybe a spark.
Brunson, Anunoby, and Hart Lead the Charge
New York didn’t just win - they dominated. Jalen Brunson led the way with 26 points, but it was a full team effort.
OG Anunoby dropped 24, and Josh Hart added 20, giving the Knicks a balanced, relentless attack that Portland just couldn’t contain. The trio combined for 70 points, and when a team’s stars are firing like that, it’s going to be a long night for the opposition.
Blazers Stumble Out of the Gate - Again
Portland’s struggles started early - and that’s becoming a theme. The Blazers hit just one of their first ten shots, and although they were only down two at the first timeout (12-10), the wheels came off soon after. New York closed the first quarter on a tear, taking a 37-22 lead behind 13 first-quarter points from Brunson.
Even with Brunson on the bench to start the second, the Knicks kept pouring it on. They opened the quarter with a 9-0 run, stretching the lead to 46-22 before Portland could stop the bleeding.
To their credit, the Blazers didn’t fold. Shaedon Sharpe led a mini-rally with 17 first-half points, Jerami Grant chipped in 11, and rookie Sidy Cissoko had a couple of nice moments that showed flashes of promise. Still, the Knicks were in full control by halftime, with Brunson sitting on 19 and the Garden crowd already sensing a blowout.
Robert Williams III Shines in Limited Minutes
If there was a silver lining for Portland, it was the play of Robert Williams III. The big man made the most of his 20 minutes, finishing with a +1 in a game his team lost by 30 - no small feat.
He went a perfect 2-for-2 from the floor and filled up the stat sheet: 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. That’s the kind of impact the Blazers need more of, especially on nights when the offense isn’t clicking.
Injury Concerns: Avdija and Clingan Leave, Return
Both Donovan Clingan and Deni Avdija had injury scares in the second quarter, each leaving the floor while nursing a hand. They returned to start the third, but neither looked quite right. It’s something to monitor - especially for a Blazers team that can’t afford to lose more bodies or production.
Jrue and Deni’s Struggles Continue
Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija are two players with plenty of talent, but right now, they’re not playing like it. Whether it’s lingering effects from injuries or just a rough patch, their combined stat line told the story: 16 points on 6-of-21 shooting, including 2-of-9 from deep, with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 8 turnovers. That’s not going to get it done, and the Blazers know it.
They don’t need these two to be perfect - but they do need them to be better. If Portland’s going to snap this losing streak, it starts with more efficient, more confident play from key veterans like Holiday and Avdija.
Turnovers Prove Costly Again
Acting head coach Tiago Splitter didn’t mince words postgame. He pointed directly at the team’s 20 turnovers - many of them coming from his top guys - as a major reason for the blowout loss.
“More force, more purpose, more focus,” he said. And he’s not wrong.
The Blazers have talent. They’ve got young pieces.
But right now, they’re playing like a team that’s still figuring out how to put it all together. Until they clean up the turnovers and get more consistent production from their veterans, the road is going to stay rough - especially against teams like the Knicks, who are playing with confidence, cohesion, and a clear identity.
Next up for Portland: a chance to regroup, refocus, and find a way to stop the skid. Because right now, the streaks are going in the wrong direction.