Friday night was a tough one for the Portland Trail Blazers, and it wasn't just about the loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Falling 100-93 at the Moda Center, the Blazers not only slipped in the Western Conference standings but also saw two key veterans sidelined with injuries.
Acting coach Tiago Splitter had high hopes after back-to-back blowout wins, urging his team to treat the final stretch like their personal playoffs. But the Blazers hit a wall, with the loss leaving them 1.5 games behind the eighth-place Clippers and barely ahead of the Warriors in the play-in race.
“It was a very poor game,” Splitter admitted, summing up a night where nearly everything went wrong for Portland.
Shooting woes? Check.
Sloppy decisions and careless execution? Definitely.
Injuries? Unfortunately, yes.
Jerami Grant felt a “pop” in his calf during the third quarter and didn't return. Robert Williams III tweaked his back in the first half and missed the rest of the game.
Both players are crucial to the Blazers’ lineup, and their absence could significantly impact the team's playoff push.
Grant, averaging 18.6 points and shooting 39% from beyond the arc, has been a reliable force. Williams, known for his defensive prowess and energy, adds depth to the second unit. Their potential absence is a blow to a team already walking a tightrope in the standings.
“They’re very important for us,” said Blazers All-Star forward Deni Avdija. “They’re great players, and we need those guys on the court for sure.”
On the court, the Blazers struggled mightily. They shot just 39% overall, including a dismal 27% from three-point range, and committed 25 turnovers leading to 33 points for Dallas. The fourth quarter was particularly painful, with Portland scoring just 17 points and letting a winnable game slip away.
Donovan Clingan grabbed 17 rebounds but struggled offensively, shooting just 2 of 9 and committing five turnovers. Scoot Henderson had a quiet night with nine points on 3-for-11 shooting.
Jrue Holiday put up 23 points but was 3 for 9 from deep and had four turnovers, including a costly airball late in the game. Avdija flirted with a triple-double, but turnovers and missed threes marred his performance.
After demolishing the Nets and Bucks in previous games, the Blazers seemed poised for a strong finish. But Friday’s loss brought them back to earth, leaving the team in a somber mood.
“Not good,” Splitter said of the locker room atmosphere. “We all felt we were in a growing moment, and this one hits hard.
Offensively we were not there. We’re also feeling for JG and Rob.
It hit hard.”
With just seven games left, the Blazers face an uphill battle, needing to regroup quickly if they hope to make a serious playoff push.