Heading into their November 21st matchup, the storyline for the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers was all about who wasn't playing. With the NBA Cup schedule heating up, both teams were dealing with significant injuries, but Portland's situation was especially dire. This Western Conference clash was shaping up to be a true test of depth and resilience, where the final score would likely depend more on grit than on sheer star power.
Key Highlights
- ✓ The injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers upset the Warriors 127-123 on the road.
- ✓ Deni Avdija had a massive game with 26 points and a career-high 14 assists for Portland.
- ✓ Stephen Curry was electric for Golden State, scoring 38 points with nine three-pointers in the loss.
- ✓ Portland broke a long road losing streak against the Warriors, not having won there since January 1, 2021.
- ✓ The game was a crucial NBA Cup matchup, moving Portland to 2-1 and dropping the Warriors to 1-2.
A MASH Unit vs. The Walking Wounded
Let's be real, the Trail Blazers' injury report looked like a novel. They were coming into this game with one of the longest lists of absences they've had all season. Young star Scoot Henderson was sidelined for his 16th straight game with a hamstring tear, a huge blow to their playmaking. And, of course, the big one: Damian Lillard was confirmed to be missing the entire 2025-26 campaign after a pre-season Achilles tear, a gut punch to the franchise.
As if that wasn't enough, Matisse Thybulle was out with a torn thumb, and Blake Wesley was sidelined indefinitely with a fractured foot. To top it all off, Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe were game-time decisions with calf strains, while Robert Williams III was questionable due to knee injury management. The only glimmer of hope was Jerami Grant being listed as probable with an illness. Portland's depth was stretched to its absolute breaking point.
The Warriors, on the other hand, were in comparatively better shape but still had their own issues. The big news was the expected return of Stephen Curry after he missed the last game with ankle soreness. Jimmy Butler III was also trending toward playing after a back issue. However, they were still without key wing depth, as Jonathan Kuminga was set to miss his fifth straight game with knee tendinitis, and De’Anthony Melton remained out. So, while their core veterans were back, the bench was looking a little thin.
A Game of Wild Swings
You would think a team as banged up as Portland would come out slow. Nope. They got off to a fantastic start, powered by the unlikely duo of Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan. The two combined for a whopping 16 points and six rebounds in the first quarter alone, setting a confident tone and letting the Warriors know they weren't going to roll over.
But then, the inevitable happened. The second quarter belonged entirely to Stephen Curry. He just went nuclear. The Warriors dropped a staggering 44 points in the quarter, completely flipping the script. Curry was on another planet, hitting five three-pointers and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. Just like that, Golden State roared back to take a 72-65 lead into the halftime break. It felt like the natural order was being restored.
Portland's Unlikely Heroes Step Up
Whatever was said in the Portland locker room at halftime clearly worked. The Trail Blazers came out and didn't just hang around—they took control. They managed to lead for the entire fourth quarter, which is incredible given the circumstances. This wasn't a fluke; it was a display of pure, unadulterated grit from a team that had every excuse to fold.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Deni Avdija. He put together the game of his life, finishing with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and a career-high 14 assists. He was the engine that made everything go, a brilliant facilitator who also knew when to score. He was supported by a career night from Donovan Clingan, who posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Add in 26 points from Caleb Love and 20 from Toumani Camara, and you had a full-blown team effort that overwhelmed the Warriors.
Clutch Plays and a Costly Mistake
Even with Portland's incredible performance, you can never count out a team with Curry. He kept hitting massive threes in the final minutes to keep the Warriors within striking distance. It was a nail-biter right down to the very end. The game was hanging in the balance, and every possession felt monumental.
The turning point came with just 4:08 remaining. The Warriors were trailing 115-111 and had a chance to get even closer when Jimmy Butler was called for an offensive foul while battling for a rebound. It was a tough call in a critical moment. Golden State coach Steve Kerr, clearly disagreeing, immediately challenged the play. After a review, however, the call was upheld. It was a massive momentum killer for the home team.
With the game on the line, it was Avdija who sealed it. He was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with just 9.8 seconds left, pushing the lead to four and putting the game out of reach. It was the perfect ending to his masterful performance. For the Warriors, it was a tough pill to swallow, marking their third consecutive loss despite 20 points each from Butler and Brandin Podziemski, and 11 points and 8 rebounds from Draymond Green.
Conclusion
What a game. The severely undermanned Portland Trail Blazers walked into San Francisco and pulled off a stunning 127-123 victory that nobody saw coming. They showed incredible resilience, with Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan delivering career performances to snatch a win. Despite a vintage 38-point explosion from Stephen Curry, a late-game offensive foul and some clutch free throws from Portland proved to be the difference. This wasn't just a regular-season game; it was a statement win in the NBA Cup and a testament to the power of a team that simply refused to lose.
