Portland Trail Blazers Hand OKC Thunder First Loss of Season
After a slow start, the Portland Trail Blazers came back strong to deliver the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder their first defeat of the season, winning 121-119. The Thunder played without several key players, yet Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Aaron Wiggins, and an unexpected group of shooters put up a tough fight.
Shooting Dominates the Game
The story of the game was shooting. Early on, the Blazers struggled significantly, missing every shot they took. However, they recovered and closed the gap by halftime. Their improved shooting persisted through the second half, helping them overcome the intense pressure from Thunder’s defensive fouls and three-point attempts to secure the win.
Jrue Holiday's Impactful Performance
Jrue Holiday was the standout player. In the second quarter, his clutch shooting helped the Blazers get back into the game, and his scoring in the second half gained them the lead. Holiday’s stat line included 22 points, six rebounds, and two assists, shooting an efficient 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Team Shooting and Defense Insights
This game marked the Blazers’ first win of the season while attempting fewer field goals than the opponent. Despite only 43 attempts, they made 19 three-pointers, shooting an impressive 44.2%. Their defense often created offensive opportunities, although at times it simply led to more defensive plays depending on shooting success.
“Wait, who is that? How many threes has he hit?”
Author’s summary: The Trail Blazers overcame a shaky start with strong shooting and defense, highlighted by Jrue Holiday, to hand the Thunder their opening loss of the season.