In a thrilling showdown on Tuesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers secured a crucial victory over the LA Clippers, despite the formidable presence of Kawhi Leonard and the recent addition of Darius Garland. The Blazers leaned heavily on Jrue Holiday, who delivered a standout performance to help secure the win.
Holiday was a force on both ends of the court, contributing six rebounds, two assists, and two steals while shooting an impressive 10-of-21 from the field and 7-of-15 from beyond the arc. His defensive prowess was on full display as he took on the challenge of guarding Leonard and Garland.
Portland's 114-104 victory was marked by their ability to contain Leonard, who was limited to 23 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while the Blazers forced him into three turnovers. Leonard, known for his scoring consistency, had been on a remarkable streak, posting 20+ points in 52 consecutive games and averaging 29 points since late November.
Blazers’ Jrue Holiday on matching up with Kawhi Leonard last night:
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 1, 2026
“I did okay. Kawhi is... Kawhi is good. And obviously his pump fake is so realistic. He caught me on the pump fake in the 1st half, but the way that he plays is always fun. I love matching up with him.” pic.twitter.com/CNmDPqRO7N
Reflecting on his defensive assignment, Holiday remarked, “I did okay. Kawhi is… Kawhi is good.
His pump fake is so realistic. He caught me on it in the first half, but playing against him is always fun.
I love matching up with him.”
Darius Garland, who joined the Clippers at the trade deadline, had been making waves with averages of 21.3 points and 7.0 assists per game. However, Tuesday's game was a tougher outing for him, as he managed 20 points but struggled with five turnovers and four fouls, shooting just 7-of-17 from the field.
Holiday praised Garland's skill set, saying, “He's quick, he's shifty. You can't really guess his next move.
It takes a team effort to guard him. He's a three-level scorer, so he's really hard to guard.”
Blazers’ Jrue Holiday on defending Darius Garland:
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 1, 2026
“He's quick, he's shifty. You can't really guess on what he's going to do. You can try to react to what he's going to do, but he's fast enough to go by you. It definitely takes a team effort. And then he can shoot the 3-ball, he… pic.twitter.com/eWREAbFQIu
Now in his 17th NBA season, Holiday is averaging 16.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, showcasing his enduring impact on the game.
This game was pivotal for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning, aiming to avoid the 9-10 play-in game, likely against the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers came into the matchup holding a slight edge over the Blazers for the eighth seed, having won the first two games of the season series.
With this victory, the Blazers are now just a half-game behind the Clippers, setting the stage for another critical encounter next Friday at the Moda Center. The Clippers face upcoming challenges against teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, while the Blazers have their sights set on matchups against the Spurs and Denver Nuggets.