Clippers Defeat Blazers 119-103; Injuries Plague Portland’s Season

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers continued to struggle on the court, losing to the Los Angeles Clippers 119-103 on Friday night at the Moda Center. This marked the Blazers’ third consecutive defeat and left them with a record of 12-19.

Despite a strong start where Portland led by six at halftime, the Clippers turned the game around in the second half, outscoring the Blazers 63-41. Star players for the Clippers included James Harden, who scored 34 points, and Kawhi Leonard, who contributed 28 points. Brook Lopez recorded a career-high nine 3-pointers, adding 31 points to the scoreboard.

Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter pointed out the team’s shooting struggles in the second half. “We stopped scoring. All that good work we did in the first half… we couldn’t get anything with quality,” he said.

Portland’s offense shined early in the game, with forward Deni Avdija leading the charge. He tallied 17 points in the first half, while guard Shaedon Sharpe added another 12. However, the Blazers fell apart in the third quarter when the Clippers launched a 19-1 run.

Avdija finished the game with 32 points and nearly recorded a triple-double, but he also struggled with turnovers, finishing with seven. Sharpe’s performance dipped as he scored only four points in the second half.

The Clippers, who came into the game with a rough record of 8-21, seized the opportunity. “They just took over the game,” Splitter remarked, highlighting Lopez’s crucial performance.

Injuries have been a significant concern for the Blazers, with key players like Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday sidelined due to injuries. Splitter acknowledged the impact of these absences, stating, “I think it’s the injuries, my friend.”

Avdija shared his perspective on the team’s growth despite the losses. “Everybody’s stepping up. Everybody’s playing,” he said, emphasizing their efforts under challenging circumstances.

The Blazers now face the challenge of maintaining their morale as they await the return of their injured players. “It’s a long season, and we might be losing a couple of games, but it doesn’t matter,” Avdija added, hopeful for a turnaround.