On a lively Sunday night in Portland, the Trail Blazers delivered a performance to remember, snapping both a three-game losing streak and a six-game drought against the Boston Celtics with a 114-108 victory. The Moda Center crowd witnessed a gritty contest marked by high-flying offense, clutch shooting, and a dash of history as Jaylen Brown tied a legendary franchise record. For the Blazers, it was a night of redemption and resilience, while the Celtics saw their four-game winning run come to an abrupt halt.
Shaedon Sharpe led the way for Portland, pouring in 26 points and lighting it up from deep, hitting 5 of his 8 three-point attempts. The second-year guard’s hot hand proved crucial, especially as the Blazers clawed back from an early deficit. "We needed this one. The energy in the building was electric and we fed off it," Sharpe said, according to ESPN. His confidence was contagious, and it showed as the Blazers outshot their opponents from long range, going 18 of 51 from beyond the arc.
But Sharpe wasn’t the only Blazer making headlines. Deni Avdija turned in a do-it-all effort with 24 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, orchestrating the Portland offense with poise. Toumani Camara chipped in a valuable 20 points, while rookie Donovan Clingan delivered a monster double-double: 18 points and 18 rebounds. Clingan’s presence in the paint was a game-changer, as he dominated the boards and provided timely scoring. Off the bench, Caleb Love added a spark with 18 points, including a pivotal three-pointer late in the fourth that gave Portland the lead for good.
For Boston, Jaylen Brown was nothing short of spectacular. The All-Star wing dropped 37 points on 14-of-23 shooting, notching his ninth consecutive game with at least 30 points—a feat that ties the great Larry Bird for the longest such streak in Celtics history. "It’s an honor to be mentioned with Larry Bird, but it’s about wins and losses for me," Brown told reporters postgame. Paul Pierce, another franchise icon, sits third on that list with seven straight 30-plus outings. Brown’s performance, especially his 27-point first half, kept Boston in control early, but the Celtics couldn’t maintain their edge down the stretch.
The Celtics, who shot 44% from the field and 13 of 44 from three-point land, saw supporting contributions from rookie Hugo Gonzalez and former Blazer Anfernee Simons, each tallying 13 points. Derrick White added 12 points, while Neemias Queta chipped in 11. Despite these efforts, Boston’s offense sputtered at key moments, particularly in the third quarter when Portland seized momentum with a 14-2 run to erase a double-digit deficit. "We lost our rhythm in the third and they took advantage," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said in the postgame presser.
Boston led 63-55 at halftime, powered by Brown’s early explosion and a solid defensive effort. The Celtics even pushed their advantage to 10 points early in the third quarter, but Portland refused to fold. Avdija’s jumper capped a furious run that put the Blazers ahead 69-67, and his three-pointer later extended the lead to 83-77. The teams traded blows as Simons scored eight straight points to briefly put Boston back in front, but Sharpe’s deep three with 31 seconds left secured an 86-85 lead for Portland entering the final frame.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both squads making big plays. Portland led 98-92 after Camara’s triple with 6:31 to go, but Boston answered as Sam Hauser and Gonzalez connected from long range to knot the score at 100. With 4:47 left, Derrick White’s driving layup again tied it at 100-all, setting up a dramatic finish. That’s when Caleb Love stepped up, draining a clutch three-pointer with 4:30 remaining to put the Blazers ahead for good. "I just let it fly," Love said, grinning after the game. "Coach told me to be ready and I was."
Boston wasn’t done yet, though. White’s three-pointer with 43 seconds left pulled the Celtics within one at 109-108, but Clingan responded with a powerful three-point play with just 22 seconds remaining, extending the margin back to four. After a Boston timeout, White turned the ball over, and Avdija calmly sank two free throws with 15 seconds left to seal the win. The Blazers closed out the game in style, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Statistically, Portland shot 47.2% from the field and dominated the glass, thanks largely to Clingan’s 18 rebounds. Their perimeter shooting, led by Sharpe and Love, proved decisive. Boston, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency from downtown, hitting just 29% of their triples. The Celtics’ bench, despite Simons’ and Gonzalez’s efforts, couldn’t match the Blazers’ depth on this night.
This win was especially sweet for Portland, who not only broke their losing streak but also snapped a six-game skid against Boston. It’s the kind of victory that can inject life into a team searching for momentum as the season grinds on. Coach Chauncey Billups praised his squad’s resilience: "We fought for every possession tonight. Everybody stepped up, and that’s what it takes to beat a team like Boston."
For the Celtics, the loss serves as a reminder that even with a superstar like Brown firing on all cylinders, the margins in the NBA are razor-thin. Maintaining focus and execution for all 48 minutes remains a challenge, especially on the road. Still, Brown’s streak is a bright spot, and with the season far from over, Boston will look to regroup quickly.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers will try to build on this momentum as they host the Dallas Mavericks at home on Monday night—a quick turnaround that will test their endurance. The Celtics, meanwhile, hit the road again to face the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, eager to get back in the win column and keep pace in the Eastern Conference race.
The Moda Center faithful left buzzing, having witnessed a hard-fought win and a bit of NBA history. As the Blazers savor this triumph, both teams know there’s little time to rest. The season marches on, and with performances like this, fans can expect plenty more fireworks as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
