Portland Trail Blazers Hand OKC Thunder First Loss of Season
After a sluggish opening, the Portland Trail Blazers stormed back to defeat the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 121–119, handing them their first loss of the season.
The Thunder rested key players but still fought hard. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Wiggins, and a resilient supporting cast kept the contest tight.
Game Overview
Early shooting woes plagued Portland, as they couldn’t seem to hit anything. However, by halftime they found their rhythm, closing the gap and carrying that momentum through the final buzzer.
The Blazers faced a tough late stretch but managed to escape victorious from a tense foul-heavy ending.
Jrue Holiday’s Impact
Jrue Holiday stole the spotlight. His sharp shooting and steady defense shifted momentum.
“Holiday’s timely shooting helped the Blazers claw back into the game.”
He finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists, converting 6 of 10 three-point attempts.
Team Performance
This was Portland’s first win of the season despite attempting fewer field goals than their opponent. They connected on 19 of 43 threes, an impressive 44.2% success rate.
Their defensive energy fueled their offense throughout the game, and though shots sometimes faltered, the team’s defensive intensity never waned.
Author’s Summary
Portland overcame poor early shooting and leaned on Jrue Holiday’s hot hand to edge out the Thunder 121–119, claiming their first win of the season with strong defense and precise three-point shooting.