The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the postseason conversation, and their fans can hardly believe it! In a high-stakes regular-season finale at the Moda Center on April 12, 2026, the Trail Blazers delivered a performance to remember, clinching the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a 122-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings. For a team that hasn’t tasted playoff basketball since the 2020-21 campaign, this win was more than just another tick in the ‘W’ column—it was a statement that Portland is ready to compete again.
Deni Avdija, the versatile forward who’s become a fan favorite in Rip City, played a starring role. He racked up 25 points, dished out 10 assists, and hauled in six rebounds, electrifying the home crowd before tip-off by signing autographs and then dazzling them on the court. According to Field Level Media, Avdija’s first-half output was especially crucial: he poured in 17 points as the Blazers built a commanding 77-57 halftime lead. “It means so much to be back in the playoffs,” Avdija said after the game, grinning from ear to ear as fans chanted his name. “We’ve worked all year for this.”
Jrue Holiday, the veteran guard known for his steady leadership, was equally pivotal. Holiday finished with 23 points and seven rebounds, but it was his clutch fourth-quarter play that truly sealed the deal. With just under three minutes left and the Kings threatening to close the gap, Holiday calmly drained a 20-footer to give Portland a 118-104 cushion. Moments later, he slashed through the defense for a driving bank shot, all but putting the game out of reach. “Jrue’s experience is invaluable,” Trail Blazers head coach remarked. “When the game’s on the line, he knows how to deliver.”
The supporting cast didn’t disappoint either. Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson chipped in 15 points apiece, while rookie big man Donovan Clingan posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Portland shot 46.5% from the field and knocked down 16 of 46 attempts from beyond the arc, showing off a balanced offensive attack that’s become their trademark this season. The Blazers also finished a perfect 4-0 against Sacramento in the regular season—a rare sweep that underscores their dominance in this matchup.
On the other side, the Sacramento Kings fought valiantly despite missing star forward DeMar DeRozan, sidelined for the third straight game with a hamstring injury. Precious Achiuwa did his best to fill the void, leading all scorers with 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Nique Clifford added 24 points and seven boards, while Maxime Raynaud contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Portland’s relentless second-quarter surge, when the Blazers outscored Sacramento 44-24 to seize control of the game.
The Kings, who finished the season with a 22-60 record—the second-most losses in franchise history—showed flashes of promise. They shot an efficient 48.2% from the field and hit 7 of 21 three-point attempts, but their defense couldn’t contain Portland’s scoring runs. Sacramento’s 2008-09 squad still holds the dubious record for the most losses at 17-65, but this year’s team will look to regroup and rebuild around its young core.
For Portland, the road to the playoffs wasn’t without its bumps. Coming into the final day of the regular season, the Blazers were tied with the Los Angeles Clippers at 42-40, but held the crucial tiebreaker. As the Blazers closed out their win, news filtered in that the Clippers had also won, beating the Golden State Warriors. That locked Los Angeles into the No. 9 seed and set up a play-in showdown with the No. 10 Warriors, while Portland earned a shot at the No. 7 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, April 14, 2026.
The play-in format, introduced by the NBA to add drama and give more teams a chance at postseason glory, means there’s little time for the Blazers to rest on their laurels. The stakes are simple: beat the Suns, and Portland advances directly to face the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Lose, and they’ll get one more chance on Friday against the winner of the Clippers-Warriors matchup. “We’re not done yet,” Scoot Henderson told reporters. “We know what’s at stake. We’re ready for Phoenix.”
Looking back at the game, it was a tale of two halves. After a competitive first quarter, the Blazers exploded in the second, building a 20-point halftime lead. But Sacramento wasn’t about to roll over. The Kings opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run, part of a 17-4 burst that cut the deficit to just seven points. Raynaud’s emphatic dunk brought the score to 81-74 with 6:43 left in the period, and suddenly the pressure was back on Portland. Yet the Blazers responded with poise. Henderson’s three-point play late in the third helped restore a double-digit lead, and they entered the final frame up 96-84.
The Kings made one last push early in the fourth, trimming the lead to 104-95 after Doug McDermott buried a three-pointer with just over eight minutes to play. But that’s when Holiday and Avdija took over, orchestrating a finishing kick that left the Kings in their wake. The Moda Center crowd, sensing the moment, erupted as the final buzzer sounded. For a city that’s endured its share of heartbreak and rebuilding years, this victory felt like a turning point.
Statistically, the Blazers’ shooting prowess was on full display. Their 46.5% field-goal percentage and 34.8% mark from three-point territory (16 of 46) kept the Kings chasing all night. Defensively, Portland did just enough to disrupt Sacramento’s rhythm, especially during that pivotal second quarter. The Blazers’ ability to share the ball—evident in Avdija’s 10 assists—has been a hallmark of their resurgence this season.
As the NBA’s play-in round looms, questions abound. Can Portland’s young core maintain its composure against a battle-tested Suns squad? Will Holiday’s veteran savvy and Avdija’s all-around brilliance be enough to propel them into a full playoff series? And can the Kings, despite their disappointing record, build on the flashes of potential they showed down the stretch?
One thing’s for sure: the Trail Blazers have reignited hope in Portland. With the postseason finally within reach, the city is buzzing with anticipation. Tuesday night’s play-in clash against Phoenix promises to be a thriller—one that could mark the start of a new era for the Blazers. For now, though, fans will savor this hard-earned victory and look forward to what comes next in this unpredictable NBA season.