{"id":170262,"date":"2025-12-20T07:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T12:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=170262"},"modified":"2025-12-19T19:08:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T00:08:53","slug":"the-trail-blazers-issues-in-the-clutch-exposed-in-an-ugly-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/20\/the-trail-blazers-issues-in-the-clutch-exposed-in-an-ugly-win\/","title":{"rendered":"The Trail Blazers’ Issues In The Clutch Exposed In An Ugly Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Portland Trail Blazers won in overtime against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. However, it was one of the ugliest wins of the 2025-26 season, as it exposed one of the Blazers’ issues. Tiago Splitter’s coaching was not at its best, but Deni Avdija’s<\/a>\u00a0production saved them later in the game.<\/p>\n

The Trail Blazers’ Issues In The Clutch Exposed In An Ugly Win<\/h2>\n

The 2025-26 NBA season has been rough for the Portland Trail Blazers, particularly due to their injury issues<\/a>. Across the 27 games they have played, the Blazers have 17 “clutch” games. They have won eight of them, but have lost nine clutch games.<\/p>\n

The Blazers’ issues in the clutch were on display against the Sacramento Kings. Around the 2:00 mark of the fourth quarter, the Blazers already had a 113-98 lead. That was when disaster struck, as Portland struggled to inbound the ball and make shots.<\/p>\n

With the Blazers’ constant turnovers, the Kings mounted a comeback and forced overtime with a 17-2 run. The Blazers managed to hold on in the extra period after Avdija drew a foul to win the game.<\/p>\n

The Blazers’ Issues In the Clutch Are Concerning<\/h3>\n

With their record in clutch games, it is fair to be concerned about the Trail Blazers. They should be winning more games with the talent on their roster. Avdija has been superb throughout the season, offering Portland a go-to option.<\/p>\n

Even if he is not hitting shots, he can be aggressive and get to the basket. He can either finish at the rim or draw a foul with his aggression. That has been a big part of Portland’s offense this season, especially with their lack of point guards.<\/p>\n

Jrue Holiday<\/a> and Scoot Henderson<\/a> are still dealing with their lower-body injuries. They could drastically improve this current squad<\/a> with stable ball-handling. Avdija is decent, but he is not the table-setter that those guards are.<\/p>\n

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Jrue Holiday is a mad man. pic.twitter.com\/ixV0UOvX2l<\/a><\/p>\n

— Steve Jones (@stevejones20) November 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n