Key Takeaways:
- Jrue Holiday scored 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, and delivered nine assists in Portland’s 118-106 victory against New Orleans
- The Trail Blazers have secured a play-in spot after recording their third consecutive win and eighth in their past ten outings
- Portland’s recently installed ownership group attended the game following the NBA’s approval of the $4.25 billion sale on Monday
Match Summary and Momentum Shifts
Jrue Holiday led the way with a 27-point performance, sinking seven shots from beyond the arc, as the Portland Trail Blazers overcame the New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 on Thursday evening in Portland. The contest marked the first home appearance with the club’s new ownership group in the stands, following the NBA Board of Governors’ ratification of the reported $4.25 billion sale earlier in the week.
BLAZERS WIN!!
BLAZERS WIN!! pic.twitter.com/PsnkgJdlXl— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 3, 2026
Deni Avdija contributed significantly with 26 points, and Toumani Camara also impressed by putting up 23 points. On the Pelicans’ side, Jeremiah Fears provided a spark off the bench with 21 points, though New Orleans have now dropped 11 of their past 12 fixtures.
New Orleans initially controlled the opening half, surging to a 48-39 lead, but the Blazers responded with consecutive three-pointers from Scoot Henderson and Avdija, trimming the deficit to 60-57 before the break. At half-time, the Pelicans led 64-60.
Decisive Second Half and Holiday’s Impact
Matisse Thybulle nailed a three-pointer to hand Portland a 77-76 advantage in the third quarter, with Toumani Camara extending the margin to 83-76 through another shot from deep. In the final period, Holiday’s long-range effort pushed the Blazers ahead 106-96 midway through the fourth. His seventh triple, made with 1:21 remaining, virtually sealed the result at 116-105 in favour of Portland.
Holiday also tallied nine assists as the Blazers clinched their third straight win and eighth victory in their last ten, solidifying their position in the play-in tournament. Currently half a game behind the eighth-placed Clippers, Portland still have a chance to move up the standings – a shift that would require only one win to advance to the playoffs, as opposed to two should they remain ninth.
| Team | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Trail Blazers | Jrue Holiday | 27 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Deni Avdija | 26 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Toumani Camara | 23 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Jeremiah Fears | 21 |
Ownership Transition and Courtside Presence
The Blazers’ new owners, led by investor Tom Dundon and featuring Sheel Tyle (co-founder of Collective Global), Marc Zahr (co-president of Blue Owl Capital), the Cherng Family Trust (of Panda Express founders), and other investors, watched courtside. Their recent acquisition of the franchise from Paul Allen’s estate was finalised on Tuesday, one day after league approval.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Pelicans are set to visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, while the Trail Blazers will travel to face the Nuggets on Monday.
