What a heart-pounding twist! The Utah Jazz pulled off an incredible late-game surge to secure a preseason victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, leaving fans buzzing about what this could mean for both teams. But here's where it gets controversial—could this foreshadow bigger things in the regular season? Let's dive into the details of this exciting matchup and unpack everything that happened, step by step, so even newcomers to the game can follow along easily.
The Portland Trail Blazers wrapped up their four preseason games with yet another tough loss on Thursday evening, dropping a narrow 132-129 decision to the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. In a game packed with rapid-fire action, high scores, and constant momentum swings, the rebuilding Jazz (now 1-3) outlasted the Blazers (also 1-3), clinching their first win of the exhibition season. It was the kind of contest that highlights why preseason matters—giving teams a chance to experiment, build chemistry, and shake off the rust before the real battles begin. For beginners, think of preseason as practice games that don't count toward the league standings but help players get in shape and coaches test strategies.
Despite the loss, the Blazers put on a show, with standout performances and a relentless three-point attack. Jerami Grant delivered his best outing of the preseason, while Jrue Holiday shone on both offense and defense. They sprayed the court with threes, but Utah's late push proved too much. And this is the part most people miss—the Jazz didn't just win; they turned the tide in spectacular fashion, even as Portland kept their key players out there until the buzzer.
Let's talk about the stars of the show in the Top Performers section. Grant lit up the scoreboard with 32 points and grabbed six rebounds, showcasing his scoring versatility. Holiday was a force, contributing 24 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and two steals—essentially doing a bit of everything to keep Portland competitive. Shaedon Sharpe, despite some struggles from beyond the arc (he made just 2 out of 9 three-pointers), still managed to notch 20 points, proving he's adaptable. The Blazers as a team were on fire from long range, connecting on 21 of 54 attempts, with nine different players hitting at least one. Holiday and Grant were particularly impressive, with Holiday sinking 6 of 9 from three-point land and Grant making 5 of 12. For those new to basketball, a three-pointer is worth three points and is attempted from behind the arc—it's like a bonus shot that can change the game's flow if teams make them consistently.
On the other side, the Jazz got solid contributions across their roster, but Keyonte George and Walker Kessler stood out. George scored 20 points on efficient shooting (7 of 11), while Kessler came close to a triple-double—a rare feat where a player gets double digits in three of five categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)—with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in just 26 minutes. He added two blocks and two steals for good measure, demonstrating why he's a key piece in Utah's rebuilding puzzle.
Now, for the turning point that defined the game—'It Was Over When' the Blazers seemed poised for a win. With Holiday hitting Grant for a powerful two-handed dunk at the 3:09 mark, Portland led 125-119 and looked in control. But they could only muster one more basket after that. Utah unleashed a decisive 13-4 run to close it out, scoring the final seven points. Svi Mykhailiuk nailed the game-winning three with 21.4 seconds left, after missing two earlier in the minute—a clutch moment that turned the tide, especially following a rebound by Mo Bamba on one of those misses. Caleb Love missed a three on the other end, and Bamba sank two free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 132-129. In the final seconds, Holiday struggled with the inbound pass against Bamba's reach, and when the ball bounced away from Sharpe, Grant grabbed it and launched a desperation shot that rimmed out. This sequence highlights how basketball can hinge on split-second decisions and a bit of luck.
Sadly, injuries continue to plague the Blazers, adding another layer of concern. Entering the game with several rotation players already sidelined, they lost Deni Avdija to an upper back tweak in the first half, keeping him out after the break. Avdija had played 15 minutes and 49 seconds, contributing eight points, three assists, and three rebounds, though his shooting was off (3 of 9 overall, 0 of 3 from three). This is frustrating for a team already dealing with absences. Toumani Camara missed his second straight game due to right knee soreness, and despite coach Chauncey Billups hinting he might play in a real game, he sat out the last 10 quarters of preseason. Meanwhile, Scoot Henderson (hamstring tear), Robert Williams III (returning from competition protocols), and Matisse Thybulle (knee soreness) were out for the entire exhibition slate. For context, these injuries could impact depth and strategy, potentially sparking debate: Is Portland's medical staff overstretching players, or is this just the nature of a contact sport? It's a controversial topic—some fans might argue it's a sign of poor management, while others see it as building resilience for the long haul.
Looking ahead, the Blazers kick off their regular season on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Moda Center, with tipoff at 7 p.m. This matchup promises to be electric, as both teams are hungry to prove themselves early.
For more on the Blazers, check out these related stories: How the Panda Express founders influenced the team's winning bid (link), a preview of the preseason finale with odds and watch info (link), Shaedon Sharpe's evolution from offensive star to defensive player (link), the Warriors' second preseason win over Portland (link), and the WNBA team's social media gaffe regarding a coaching hire (link).
What do you think—does this Jazz comeback suggest Utah is ready to surprise in the season, or is Portland's injury woes a bigger red flag? Do the Blazers need to rethink their preseason approach? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a fresh take on how this affects the NBA landscape!
