Key Takeaways:
- Deni Avdija registered 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as Portland surged from 22 points down to beat Oklahoma City 121-119
- Jrue Holiday contributed 22 points, sinking two vital free throws with six seconds on the clock to seal the win
- Thunder suffered their first defeat of the season after starting 8-0, despite 35 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Match Analysis: Dramatic Turnaround in Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers delivered a remarkable performance last night, overcoming a 22-point deficit to edge the previously unbeaten Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 at Moda Center. Deni Avdija fell just shy of a triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, propelling Portland to a signature victory over the defending NBA champions.
Jrue Holiday played a pivotal role in the Blazers’ surge, recording 22 points and converting two crucial free throws in the closing moments to put Portland ahead 121-118 with just six seconds left on the clock. Jerami Grant added 20 points off the bench to further bolster Portland’s offensive output.
BLAZERS WIN!!
BLAZERS WIN!! pic.twitter.com/kRb2jLcOCt— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 6, 2025
Crunch Time: Late-Game Drama Decides Contest
Oklahoma City found themselves within striking distance as time expired. Trailing by three, Isaiah Joe was fouled on a jump shot with 0.5 seconds remaining. A replay confirmed Joe’s toe was on the three-point arc, awarding him two free throws rather than three. Joe made the first, missed the second intentionally, and the Thunder failed to convert the ensuing tip-in, sealing their first loss of the season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points while Aaron Wiggins supplied 27, keeping Oklahoma City in contention despite missing several key contributors. Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Alex Caruso, who had played the previous night against the Los Angeles Clippers, were absent from the lineup.
Turning Points and Statistical Highlights
Portland gained their first advantage of the game at 97-96 with 6:44 remaining following a Holiday jumper. The Trail Blazers promptly forced a Thunder backcourt violation and extended their lead to 100-96 courtesy of a Holiday three-pointer. Wiggins responded with a personal 5-0 run to reclaim the lead for Oklahoma City at 101-100. The teams traded baskets until Grant’s jumper nudged Portland in front 105-104. The Blazers later expanded their margin to nine points before Oklahoma City mounted one last rally.
Notably, Avdija endured a rough start, missing his first ten field goal attempts. He finally scored his first basket with just 38 seconds left in the third quarter, igniting Portland’s comeback. Duop Reath also provided a spark from distance, playing the entire second quarter and netting nine points – all from beyond the arc – as Portland outscored Oklahoma City 36-24 in the period.
The Thunder raced to a commanding 41-21 advantage after the opening quarter and maintained a double-digit edge in the third. However, the Trail Blazers persistent offence and improved defensive intensity turned the tide.
| Portland Trail Blazers | Statistic | Oklahoma City Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Deni Avdija: 26 pts, 10 reb, 9 ast | Top Performer | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 35 pts |
| Jrue Holiday: 22 pts | Second Leading Scorer | Aaron Wiggins: 27 pts |
| 22-point comeback | Deficit Overcome | Led 41-21 after Q1 |
| 5-3 | Season Record | 8-1 |
Upcoming Fixtures
The Thunder will travel to face Sacramento on Friday night, seeking to rebound from their opening defeat. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers head to Miami on Saturday night aiming to build upon this statement victory.
