The Portland Trail Blazers delivered a monumental, inspirational upset on Friday night, defeating the Golden State Warriors 127-123 on their home floor in San Francisco. Playing without key starters, the underdog Blazers overcame a major second-quarter deficit to crush Golden State’s hopes in a crucial NBA Cup “Group of Death” matchup. This victory marks Portland’s first road win against the Warriors in four years, instantly establishing them as a dark horse contender.
The Warriors, led by an explosive second quarter, seized a seven-point halftime advantage, fueled by a scorching performance from Stephen Curry. However, Portland’s resilient crew secured the lead for good in the final period, utilizing a powerful 20-5 scoring run that flipped the script entirely. According to box scores verified by CBS Sports, Portland’s offensive surge was powered by aggressive, unselfish play, racking up 32 assists on 42 made field goals.
Deni Avdija, the forward, spearheaded the attack, scoring 26 points and securing a career-high 14 assists. Avdija showed veteran composure down the stretch, sinking 12 of his 13 free-throw attempts to secure the victory in the final seconds. Rookie guard Caleb Love also stepped up huge, matching Avdija’s 26 points and leading all Blazers scorers, dropping six crucial three-pointers on the night.
Portland not only outscored the competition but also dominated the rebounding battle, securing 52 total boards against Golden State’s 32. Rookie big man Donovan Clingan secured a career-high double-double, registering 22 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the paint for the Blazers. On the flip side, Golden State’s superstar Stephen Curry exploded for 38 points, but his Herculean effort ultimately fell short as the Trail Blazers sealed the shocking victory.
The unexpected outcome sent a shockwave across social media, with fans praising the resilient Blazers squad. One viral tweet highlighted the upset, calling it “pure heart and hustle” from a team everyone wrote off. Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III, who scored 20 points, offered a candid assessment after the loss, explaining that the team was failing defensively and “giving up the middle lane too often,” according to CBS Sports. The loss effectively eliminates the Warriors from NBA Cup contention, compounding frustration in the Bay Area. The surprising Trail Blazers immediately shift their focus to their next challenge: a road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. This crucial matchup gives Portland a chance to further solidify its unexpected standing in the NBA Cup knockout stage. Meanwhile, the reeling Warriors must regroup from their third straight loss and aaddress their defensive lapses before their upcoming game.
