The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t just playing basketball this season - they’re performing nightly heart surgery on their fanbase. Whether they’re clawing back from double-digit deficits or nearly coughing up comfortable leads, the one constant has been chaos. And while that might be a thrill for the neutral fan flipping through League Pass, for Blazers supporters, it’s a rollercoaster ride with no brakes.
Take Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic. Portland looked flat-out done by halftime.
The energy was low, the execution off, and the scoreboard told the story. But then came the second half, and with it, a furious rally that had all the makings of a signature comeback - until it didn’t.
The Blazers ran out of gas, ran out of time, or maybe both, and the comeback fell just short.
Ironically, just a few days earlier, the script had flipped. In back-to-back games against the Kings, Portland came out hot and looked poised to cruise.
But both times, they nearly gave the game away in the final minutes, flirting with disaster before barely hanging on. It’s becoming a pattern - and not the good kind.
A Young Team Still Learning How to Close
What we’re seeing here is a classic case of a team with potential, but not yet polish. The Blazers have the talent to compete - they’ve shown that in stretches - but they haven’t figured out how to consistently finish games. When the clock winds down and the pressure ratchets up, things get shaky.
Deni Avdija has stepped up in big moments this season, showing flashes of being a go-to guy in crunch time. But with Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant out of the lineup, the Blazers’ late-game offense has become a little too predictable. Opponents are keying in on Deni, and right now, no one else is consistently making them pay for it.
That’s where the opportunity lies. Someone else needs to emerge as a reliable closer - and the candidates are intriguing.
Caleb Love certainly doesn’t lack confidence. He’s never been afraid of the moment, but confidence only gets you so far.
At some point, the shots have to fall. Then there’s Shaedon Sharpe, who might be the best long-term answer.
He’s shown flashes of fourth-quarter brilliance, but here’s the surprising part: he’s not even in the top 50 in fourth-quarter shot attempts. For a guy with his tools, that’s a number that needs to climb.
Effort Is There - Execution Still a Work in Progress
If there’s a silver lining in all this, it’s that the Blazers don’t quit. Under interim coach Thiago Splitter, this team continues to fight - even when it’s undermanned and overmatched.
That says something about the culture they’re trying to build. The effort is real.
The belief is there. But effort doesn’t show up in the win column unless it’s paired with execution.
Splitter himself has had some puzzling moments on the sideline lately, and it’s fair to wonder if he’s the long-term answer. But for now, he’s keeping the team engaged, even if the results aren’t always there.
What Comes Next?
The question moving forward is whether Portland can turn these close calls into actual wins. That’s what separates young teams on the rise from teams stuck in the middle. Right now, the Blazers are living in that in-between space - competitive enough to keep things interesting, but not quite sharp enough to close the deal.
The good news? This is part of the process.
Young teams have to learn how to win. They have to feel the sting of blown leads and missed opportunities before they figure out how to lock in when it matters most.
The Blazers are in that phase now. And while it’s painful for fans in the short term, it’s a necessary step if this group is going to grow into something more.
For now, buckle up. Because if the first half of the season is any indication, there’s plenty more drama ahead in Rip City - whether they’re chasing down comebacks or trying not to let them slip away.