Two NBA teams heading in opposite directions and with different objectives competed Friday night at the Moda Center.
Not surprisingly, the team with something to play for won. By a lot.
The Portland Trail Blazers, whose season will end on Sunday, sat most of their regulars in a 103-86 loss to Golden State. The Warriors are embroiled in a tightly contested race to secure a playoff berth and avoid the play-in round.
“I feel like we went out there and gave everything we had to do what we can to help our team win, but came up short tonight,” Blazers center Donovan Clingan said.
Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe, who had been carrying the Blazers lately, joined Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III on the bench.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups started Toumani Camara, DClingan, Dalano Banton, Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray.
“I thought we did a good job.” Billups said. “I thought our defense was pretty good all night. We just couldn’t score at all. Couldn’t make a shot.”
The group played hard but were no match for the Warriors, led by stars Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
The Blazers led 18-13 during the first quarter before the Warriors used a 13-2 run to go up 26-20 entering the second quarter.
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against Toumani Camara #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter of the game at the Moda Center on April 11, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)Getty Images
The Blazers shot 26.1% in the second quarter, committed seven turnovers and trailed 50-37 at halftime.
The Warriors opened the third quarter with a 17-8 run and never looked back.
Clingan led the Blazers’ starters with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Forward Jabari Walker came off the bench to score 19. Camara scored 10 points and Rayan Rupert poured in 15.
The Blazers, without their top six scorers, shot 37.6% from the field and went 6 of 30 from three-point range (20%). Portland generated 21 assists but committed 22 turnovers
Butler led the Warriors with 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and Curry scored 14 points and Buddy Hield had 16.
“I thought our defense scrapped, holding this team to 103,” Billups said. “I know they didn’t have to play everybody their normal minutes, but I thought we were sound the entire time. I thought we tried to share the ball. Did a good job with that.”
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (35-46) have the ninth-worst record in the NBA, one game behind the Phoenix Suns (36-45), who won 117-98 over San Antonio (33-48).
The Warriors (48-33) entered the day in a three-way tie for sixth place in the Western Conference with Memphis (47-34) and Minnesota (48-33).
The Timberwolves won 117-91 over the Brooklyn Nets while the Grizzlies lost 117-109 at Denver.
That left the Warriors and Timberwolves tied for sixth.
Sidy Cissoko #91 and Jabari Walker #34 of the Portland Trail Blazers box out Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of the game at the Moda Center on April 11, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)Getty Images
SIDY CISSOKO
Two-way forward Sidy Cissoko saw his most extensive action of the season for the Blazers, scoring three points with eight rebounds and five assists in over 24 minutes. He also committed six turnovers.
Cissoko played six minutes over three previous games with the Blazers. In eight games with the Rip City Remix, Cissoko has averaged 15.3 points per game.
NEXT UP
The Blazers end their season with a 12:30 p.m. game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Moda Center.
— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
