PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers made history on February 22, 2025, with a staggering 141-88 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, clinching the largest win margin ever recorded by the franchise. This impressive 53-point blowout surpassed the previous record of 50 points set during the 1982 season.
Leading the charge for the Blazers was Anfernee Simons, who scored 25 points, showcasing his remarkable shooting ability with five 3-pointers. This performance was particularly notable as he bounced back from scoring just eight points against the Los Angeles Lakers just two nights prior.
Simons wasn't the only player to shine. Toumani Camara had a standout game, contributing 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Meanwhile, Shaedon Sharpe and Jabari Walker both added 20 points each off the bench, with Walker also grabbing 14 rebounds, indicating the team’s depth.
For the Hornets, Miles Bridges was the top scorer with 17 points, but he received little support, particularly from star guard LaMelo Ball, who managed only five points on 1-of-10 shooting.
The game began with the Hornets taking the early lead at 4-3, only for the Blazers to respond with a commanding 13-0 run. By the end of the first quarter, Portland had established a significant lead at 38-21. The onslaught did not slow down; the Blazers finished the first half with a commanding 73-40 advantage, which set the tone for the rest of the matchup.
The Blazers exhibited remarkable offensive efficiency, shooting 58.6% from the field and sinking 20 three-pointers out of 43 attempts, marking their best shooting performance of the season. Their ball movement was equally impressive, racking up 37 assists on 51 field goals.
Hornets’ center Jusuf Nurkic, who recently joined Charlotte following a trade from Phoenix, played his first game against his former team, contributing 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists off the bench.
“We came out ready to play and didn’t let up; it feels good to get back on track,” remarked Simons after the game, reflecting on the importance of this win for the struggling Blazers, who had entered the match on a four-game losing streak.
This decisive victory helped the Blazers (now 24-33) gain ground on playoff positioning, as they closed the gap to the 10th-place Sacramento Kings, who hold the final play-in spot.
Next, the Blazers will head out on a demanding seven-game road trip, beginning with the Utah Jazz. The victory over the Hornets served as both a boost to their confidence and motivation as they look to revitalize their season.
The game also marked the end of the Hornets’ frustrating stretch, as they now have one of the worst records in the league at 14-41, having lost 10 of their last 12 games.
Looking forward to their upcoming matchups, both teams will seek improvement and adjustments, hoping to secure the wins they desperately need.