Trail Blazers Rally Past Suns 114-110 in Play-In Thriller/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Portland rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Phoenix. Deni Avdija led the comeback with 41 points and 12 assists. The Blazers clinched the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Trail Blazers Suns Play-In Comeback Quick Looks
- Deni Avdija scores 41 points with 12 assists
- Blazers erase 11-point deficit in fourth quarter
- Game-winning three-point play with 16.1 seconds left
- Portland wins 114-110 in dramatic finish
- Suns miss late opportunities to reclaim lead
- Blazers secure No. 7 playoff seed
- Phoenix forced into elimination matchup next game
Deep Look: Trail Blazers Rally Past Suns 114-110 in Play-In Thriller
The Portland Trail Blazers delivered one of the most dramatic comebacks of the NBA play-in tournament, rallying from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in a thrilling contest in Phoenix.
At the heart of the comeback was Deni Avdija, who turned in a spectacular performance with 41 points and 12 assists. His defining moment came in the closing seconds, when he powered through contact for a go-ahead layup and converted the free throw with 16.1 seconds remaining, giving Portland a 112-110 lead.
The game had swung in Phoenix’s favor moments earlier. Jordan Goodwin drove to the basket for a layup that put the Suns ahead 110-109 with just over 30 seconds to play. But Avdija responded immediately, showcasing both strength and composure in delivering the decisive three-point play.
Phoenix still had opportunities to reclaim control. Jalen Green attempted a 3-pointer that could have swung the game back in the Suns’ favor, but the shot missed. Goodwin grabbed the offensive rebound, offering a second chance, but Portland’s Matisse Thybulle stripped the ball away, effectively sealing the victory.
The win secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the Trail Blazers, who will now face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Meanwhile, the Suns’ path becomes more difficult. They will host the winner of the matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, with the victor claiming the No. 8 seed and the final playoff spot. The losing team will see its season come to an end.
The final minutes were filled with tension, as both teams traded the lead multiple times. Jerami Grantreturning after missing several games due to a calf injury, knocked down a clutch corner 3-pointer to give Portland a 107-106 edge with under two minutes remaining.
Phoenix responded through Devin Booker, who calmly sank two free throws to reclaim the lead. But Avdija continued his dominant night, scoring on a finger roll to push the Blazers back in front 109-108 with less than 40 seconds left, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Jalen Green led the Suns with 35 points, while Booker added 22, but their efforts ultimately fell short in the face of Portland’s late surge.
The game’s turning point came after Phoenix seized control early in the fourth quarter. The Suns opened the period with an 11-0 run, transforming a narrow deficit into a 93-83 advantage. Royce O’Neale extended the lead to 98-87 with just over seven minutes remaining, appearing to put Phoenix firmly in command.
However, Portland refused to fold. The Blazers chipped away at the lead, finding momentum on both ends of the floor and capitalizing on key defensive stops. Their resilience paid off as they steadily closed the gap and set up the dramatic closing sequence.
Earlier in the game, both teams exchanged runs. Phoenix held a slim lead after the first quarterbut Portland surged in the second, building a 14-point advantage at one stage. The Suns responded before halftime, highlighted by Green’s four-point play just before the buzzer, which trimmed the deficit to three points.
Despite inconsistent shooting — particularly from beyond the arc in the third quarter — the Blazers maintained a narrow lead entering the final period before Phoenix’s early fourth-quarter burst.
In the end, it was Avdija’s all-around brilliance and Portland’s resilience that proved decisive. The Blazers showed poise under pressure, executing key plays when it mattered most and overcoming adversity in a high-stakes environment.
The victory not only sends Portland into the playoffs but also reinforces the team’s ability to compete in tight, high-pressure situations. For the Sunsthe loss serves as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift — and leaves them with one final opportunity to keep their postseason hopes alive.
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