Trail Blazers Dominate Pelicans in 2026 Opener Victory
In an impressive display, the Portland Trail Blazers opened the 2026 season with a significant victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The game took place on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center, ending with a score of 122-109.
Key Performances Drive Blazers’ Victory
Deni Avdija led the Blazers with an outstanding performance, scoring 34 points and providing 11 assists along with seven rebounds. Notably, he maintained a low turnover rate, committing just two throughout the game. Avdija’s ability to navigate through constant defensive pressure highlighted his All-Star caliber skills.
- 34 points
- 11 assists
- 7 rebounds
- 3 for 5 from three-point range
Caleb Love, a rookie guard, also contributed significantly, finishing with 22 points. He shot 54% from the field and connected on 6 of 11 three-point attempts. His consistent scoring has been crucial off the bench, with Love averaging 17.5 points over the past six games.
Donovan Clingan complemented the team’s efforts, recording a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. His performance included valuable screens that opened up shots for his teammates.
Defensive Dominance
The Blazers’ defense proved crucial in their win, limiting the Pelicans to just 35% shooting over the game. Notably, New Orleans struggled from beyond the arc, failing to make any three-pointers in the second and third quarters.
Portland capitalized on this defensive success, amassing 93 points over the final three quarters while committing only four turnovers. This shift in momentum helped the Blazers secure a comfortable lead that reached 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead
After bouncing back from a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, this victory against the Pelicans set a positive tone for the Blazers as they embark on the new year. The team aims to build on this momentum with their upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Frost Bank Center.
