The Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers squared off on February 6, 2026, at the Moda Center in Portland, delivering a night of NBA action that was as dramatic as it was revealing for both squads. The matchup, broadcast on KUNP and the FanDuel Sports Network, was more than just another regular-season contest—it was a test of resilience, depth, and adaptability for two teams battered by injuries and roster upheaval.
Coming into the game, the Trail Blazers were desperate to halt a six-game losing skid that had dropped them to a 23-28 record, their worst stretch since late December. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, stood at 20-29, having recently snapped their own losing streak with back-to-back wins over the Timberwolves and Kings. Both teams were missing key contributors: Portland was without its leading scorer Deni Avdija (lower back strain) and star Damian Lillard (Achilles), while Memphis was missing Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, among others. For the Blazers, the absence of Avdija—who’d missed seven of the last ten games—loomed large, but the return of rookie point guard Scoot Henderson was a beacon of hope. On the Grizzlies’ side, all eyes were on Scotty Pippen Jr., making his long-awaited season debut after recovering from left toe surgery.
The Grizzlies came out swinging, building a 15-point lead in the first quarter despite having no player taller than 6-foot-9 on the floor. Their early success was fueled by aggressive play and efficient ball movement, a necessity given their depleted roster. But as the game wore on, Portland’s size advantage became impossible to ignore. The Blazers, anchored by 7-foot-3 center Donovan Cingan, began to dominate the glass and exploit Memphis’s lack of rim protection. Cingan finished the night with a commanding 13 points and 17 rebounds, a double-double that underscored the mismatch in the paint.
Memphis’s early momentum was further eroded in the second quarter as Portland’s offense found its groove. The Blazers started to heat up from beyond the arc, draining six three-pointers in the third quarter after hitting just five in the entire first half. The Grizzlies, who had managed to keep pace offensively (they averaged 115.31 points per game coming in), simply couldn’t match Portland’s firepower once the threes started falling. By halftime, the script had flipped: the Blazers were in control, the home crowd was roaring, and the Grizzlies were scrambling for answers.
Scotty Pippen Jr.’s return was a bright spot for Memphis. After missing the first 49 games of the season, Pippen showed flashes of his potential, finishing with 13 points and six assists. His playmaking and energy were especially evident in the first half, as he helped orchestrate Memphis’s early surge. According to The Commercial Appeal, “Pippen missed the first 49 games after having surgery on his left toe,” but his debut injected much-needed life into a Grizzlies backcourt ravaged by injuries.
Portland’s resurgence wasn’t just about size, though. The Blazers’ ability to adapt and capitalize on the Grizzlies’ defensive gaps proved decisive. Their 36 points in the paint highlighted a relentless attack on the rim, while their improved three-point shooting stretched Memphis’s already thin defense to the breaking point. Acting coach Tiago Splitter, filling in with several staff members also sidelined, praised his team’s resilience: “We still believe in ourselves,” he said, reflecting the Blazers’ determination to turn their season around despite adversity.
The Grizzlies, for their part, fought valiantly. Even as the game slipped away in the second half, they continued to battle on both ends. But the lack of depth and interior presence was too much to overcome. Without key defenders and rebounders, Memphis struggled to contain Portland’s second-chance opportunities and transition offense. The final score—135-115 in favor of the Blazers—was a testament to Portland’s ability to seize control and never look back once the momentum shifted.
Injuries were a dominant storyline for both teams. The Blazers managed to weather the absence of Avdija and Lillard, thanks in part to contributions from their supporting cast and the timely return of Scoot Henderson. Henderson, who had missed the entire season with a left hamstring tear, was listed as probable before the game and made an immediate impact, helping to stabilize Portland’s backcourt rotation. For Memphis, the list of absentees was even longer: Ja Morant (elbow), Zach Edey (ankle), Brandon Clarke (calf), Santi Aldama (knee), Ty Jerome (calf), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (rest) were all unavailable, forcing coach Taylor Jenkins to dig deep into his bench.
Recent trades and roster moves also shaped the narrative. The Grizzlies had recently completed a blockbuster deal, sending Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and Jock Landale to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton Jr., and three first-round picks. This overhaul, coming just before the trade deadline, signaled a new direction for Memphis as they tried to rebuild on the fly. In their first game after the trade, Ty Jerome had erupted for 28 points and seven assists, but against Portland, the Grizzlies’ new-look lineup struggled to find the same cohesion.
Statistically, the matchup highlighted each team’s strengths and weaknesses. Memphis entered the game ranked 17th in offensive efficiency, averaging 115.31 points per game, while Portland’s defense allowed 118.12 points per contest, ranking 23rd. The Blazers’ ability to clamp down in the second half, especially from the perimeter, flipped the script and exposed Memphis’s lack of depth. Betting trends before the game had favored Portland, with the Blazers listed as 9.5-point favorites—a line that ultimately proved justified by the margin of victory.
The atmosphere at Moda Center was electric, with fans eager to see if the Blazers could finally snap their losing streak. Local efforts to keep the franchise in Portland, including arena funding initiatives and city support, added another layer of urgency to the proceedings. As the final buzzer sounded, the sense of relief among the home faithful was palpable: the Blazers had not only ended their skid but had done so in emphatic fashion.
This contest was just the first of a back-to-back set between the two teams, with another game scheduled for February 7 at the same venue. Both squads will be looking to regroup and adjust, especially as injured players continue to work their way back. For Memphis, the hope is that Pippen Jr.’s promising debut is a sign of things to come. For Portland, the challenge will be to build on this momentum and continue climbing the Western Conference standings.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: injuries, trades, and adversity may have shaped the narrative, but the competitive spirit on display at the Moda Center ensured that fans got their money’s worth. The story of these two teams, still very much unfolding, promises more drama in the days ahead.