January 1
1971
Rookies Geoff Petrie and Pete Cross each had career-highs in the #seattleSuperSonics 121-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers but who didn't play made just as much news. Petrie hit for 40 points for the 1st time in his career while Cross pulled down a career-high 25 rebounds and scored a career-high 23 points. Petrie would eventually score more 40 points or more 13 times in his 6-year career with #Portland. Cross on the other hand, had great promise his rookie season, but had a injury shortened career, playing only 2 1/2 seasons. Cross passed away in 1977 due to epileptic seizures
Rookies Geoff Petrie and Pete Cross each had career-highs in the #seattleSuperSonics 121-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers but who didn't play made just as much news. Petrie hit for 40 points for the 1st time in his career while Cross pulled down a career-high 25 rebounds and scored a career-high 23 points. Petrie would eventually score more 40 points or more 13 times in his 6-year career with #Portland. Cross on the other hand, had great promise his rookie season, but had a injury shortened career, playing only 2 1/2 seasons. Cross passed away in 1977 due to epileptic seizures
The game was protested by the Portland Trail Blazers due to the #Sonics having an "illegal player" under contract and on their bench. Spencer Haywood, the "illegal player" had signed with the #Sonics just two days prior to the New Years Day game. Haywood played in the rival #ABA during the 1969/70 season and averaged over 30 points and 20 rebounds for the Denver Rockets. Declaring that his contract with the Rockets was illegal, he decided to pursue an NBA contract and the Sonics owner Sam Shulman obliged despite the fact the NBA had strict rules about signing players before their college classes had graduated. Haywood played 2 years of college ball at Univ. of Detroit before joining the ABA, which had no such rule.
The Blazers Vice-President Harry Glickman first commented after the game that no protest was happening, but afterwards said he had changed his mind, "in order to confront the issue and get it settled." Glickman also said that if Haywood was in the coming 1971 draft, the Blazers would draft him.
Haywood would eventually sue the NBA, with his case going all the way to the Supreme Court where he would win a 7-2 decision. The win would open the NBA Draft up to college players to play in the NBA before their college graduation.
Further reading of the Haywood case can be found at https://bleacherreport.com/articles/691783-spencer-haywood-the-nba-draft-and-the-legal-battle-that-shaped-the-league?fbclid=IwAR1SpX3ABP5cg4xePxiJ58TqRHmabKdi50kiNI6zJXNT7EozzsJghPRi0_I
The Blazers Vice-President Harry Glickman first commented after the game that no protest was happening, but afterwards said he had changed his mind, "in order to confront the issue and get it settled." Glickman also said that if Haywood was in the coming 1971 draft, the Blazers would draft him.
Haywood would eventually sue the NBA, with his case going all the way to the Supreme Court where he would win a 7-2 decision. The win would open the NBA Draft up to college players to play in the NBA before their college graduation.
Further reading of the Haywood case can be found at https://bleacherreport.com/articles/691783-spencer-haywood-the-nba-draft-and-the-legal-battle-that-shaped-the-league?fbclid=IwAR1SpX3ABP5cg4xePxiJ58TqRHmabKdi50kiNI6zJXNT7EozzsJghPRi0_I
In Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee — where ever the Sonics traveled in 1970-71 — drama ensued. Crowds would burst into cheers after the P.A. announcer would say, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an illegal player on the floor and the game cannot proceed with this illegal player on the floor!” Sometimes he would be booed off the floor. Sometimes opposing players would refuse to shake his hand. Sometimes fans would throw things, forcing Haywood’s team to leave the court.
And yet, in the 33 games he played, Haywood averaged 20.6 points and 12.0 rebounds. Haywood v. National Basketball Association went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in Haywood’s favor in 1971. The sides settled out of court, allowing Haywood to stay with Seattle, and the NBA implemented an exception to its rule for players who could prove financial hardship. The fight finally reached the Supreme Court in March 1971. In a 7-2 decision, upholding the decision of a lower court, the Supreme Court ruled that the NBA’s four-year rule would cause Haywood “irreparable injury in that a substantial part of his playing career will have been dissipated.”
A settlement between the league and the Sonics was reached, and Haywood played out the rest of the 1970-71 season. The decision would soon have major ramifications. The NBA initially adopted a hardship rule to allow future players who could demonstrate financial need an opportunity to join the league before their college eligibility had expired. But almost every player could make that case. Soon that exception was scrapped from the NBA bylaws, opening the door for young players everywhere to maximize their earning potential.
And yet, in the 33 games he played, Haywood averaged 20.6 points and 12.0 rebounds. Haywood v. National Basketball Association went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in Haywood’s favor in 1971. The sides settled out of court, allowing Haywood to stay with Seattle, and the NBA implemented an exception to its rule for players who could prove financial hardship. The fight finally reached the Supreme Court in March 1971. In a 7-2 decision, upholding the decision of a lower court, the Supreme Court ruled that the NBA’s four-year rule would cause Haywood “irreparable injury in that a substantial part of his playing career will have been dissipated.”
A settlement between the league and the Sonics was reached, and Haywood played out the rest of the 1970-71 season. The decision would soon have major ramifications. The NBA initially adopted a hardship rule to allow future players who could demonstrate financial need an opportunity to join the league before their college eligibility had expired. But almost every player could make that case. Soon that exception was scrapped from the NBA bylaws, opening the door for young players everywhere to maximize their earning potential.
Haywood v. National Basketball Association, 401 U.S. 1204 (1971), was a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled, 7–2, against the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) old requirement that a player may not be drafted by an NBA team unless he waited four years (which meant playing at the college level in most cases) following his graduation from high school.
Spencer Haywood turned pro after his sophomore season at the University of Detroit, joining the American Basketball Association’s (ABA) Denver Rockets and leading the league in scoring (30.0 per game) and rebounding (19.5 per game) in 1969-70 before jumping to the NBA the following season. Seattle SuperSonics owner Sam Schulman signed Haywood to a six-year, $1.5 million contract, ignoring the rule that a player cannot join the league until he is four years out of high school. As a result, the NBA threatened to disallow the contract and implement various punitive sanctions against the SuperSonics. |
Haywood challenged this decision by commencing an antitrust action against the NBA. As part of his claim against the NBA, Haywood argued that the conduct of the NBA was a "group boycott" and a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The central issue that had to be determined was whether the NBA draft policy was a restraint on trade and therefore was illegal in accordance with the Sherman Act. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, which issued an injunction in Haywood's favor, ruling:
If Haywood is unable to continue to play professional basketball for Seattle, he will suffer irreparable injury in that a substantial part of his playing career will have been dissipated, his physical condition, skills, and coordination will deteriorate from lack of high-level competition, his public acceptance as a super star will diminish to the detriment of his career, his self-esteem, and his pride will have been injured and a great injustice will be perpetrated on him.
The NBA appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which stayed the injunction. Joined by the SuperSonics, Haywood appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the District Court, reinstated that court's injunction against the NBA, and remanded the case to the District Court for further proceedings.
Shortly after the Supreme Court's decision, the league and Haywood reached an out-of-court settlement which allowed him to stay with the Sonics permanently. The decision allowed a significant number of high school graduates and college attendees to make themselves eligible for the NBA Draft before completing four years in college.
If Haywood is unable to continue to play professional basketball for Seattle, he will suffer irreparable injury in that a substantial part of his playing career will have been dissipated, his physical condition, skills, and coordination will deteriorate from lack of high-level competition, his public acceptance as a super star will diminish to the detriment of his career, his self-esteem, and his pride will have been injured and a great injustice will be perpetrated on him.
The NBA appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which stayed the injunction. Joined by the SuperSonics, Haywood appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the District Court, reinstated that court's injunction against the NBA, and remanded the case to the District Court for further proceedings.
Shortly after the Supreme Court's decision, the league and Haywood reached an out-of-court settlement which allowed him to stay with the Sonics permanently. The decision allowed a significant number of high school graduates and college attendees to make themselves eligible for the NBA Draft before completing four years in college.
1974
Rookie Ernie DiGregorio passed for a rookie record 25 assists and hit for 20 points in the #BuffaloBraves 120-119 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The assist total is the third highest in NBA History at the time, with the record being 28, set by Bob Cousy in 1959 and tied by Guy Rodgers in 1963. as of 2022, the 25 assists stands as the 5th highest total. The total was eventually tied by another rookie, future Blazer Coach Nate McMillian, when he was a rookie with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1987
DiGregorio would go on to win the 1973/74 NBA Rookie of the Year award. He averaged 15.2 points and led the league with 8.2 assists average and free throw percentage, hitting .902%. He and McAdoo led Buffalo into the playoffs for the first time this season, losing to eventual champions Boston Celtics in 6 games.
Much was anticipated for the 1974/75 season but 6 games into the season, DiGregorio hurt his knee and only played 31 games and never was the same. He played a total of 4 seasons with Buffalo and then split his last year with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Geoff Petrie led the Blazers with 39 points while Sidney Wicks had his 5th triple-double of his career with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists. Rick Roberson had 21 points and 14 rebounds. For Buffalo, Gar Heard had 31 points and 13 rebounds and Bob McAdoo had 21 points
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1987
Magic Johnson only scored 4 points but his 18 assists helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a 140-104 trouncing of the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 36-point margin is still the worst home-court loss for the Blazers.
Magic Johnson only scored 4 points but his 18 assists helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a 140-104 trouncing of the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 36-point margin is still the worst home-court loss for the Blazers.
2017
CJ McCollum scores 43 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 95-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is the first time McCollum hits the 40-point milestone.
Game highlights at the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1a_kL-oYmI
CJ McCollum scores 43 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 95-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It is the first time McCollum hits the 40-point milestone.
Game highlights at the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1a_kL-oYmI
2019
Jusuf Nurkic scored 24 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 113-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Nurkic became the first NBA to not only have a 20/20 game but also at least 5 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocked shots in a game since steals and blocks were first recorded as official stats in 1973.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QG_10Zp1Eg
Former owner Larry Weinberg passed away on January 1, 2019
2021
Some excerpts from the Oregonian ...
A double dose of history as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard reached another career milestone during the team’s 123-98 win at Golden State when he scored 34 points to become the 141st player in NBA history to reach 15,000 career points. On most nights Lillard’s accomplishment would warrant its own headline. But it just so happens that he is playing with someone much further up the line on the NBA's All-Time scoring list. On the same night Lillard became only the second Blazer to reach 15,000 points, Carmelo Anthony surpassed Tim Duncan (26,496 career points) to move into 14th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,499 for his career.
Some excerpts from the Oregonian ...
A double dose of history as Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard reached another career milestone during the team’s 123-98 win at Golden State when he scored 34 points to become the 141st player in NBA history to reach 15,000 career points. On most nights Lillard’s accomplishment would warrant its own headline. But it just so happens that he is playing with someone much further up the line on the NBA's All-Time scoring list. On the same night Lillard became only the second Blazer to reach 15,000 points, Carmelo Anthony surpassed Tim Duncan (26,496 career points) to move into 14th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,499 for his career.
Anthony said the moment meant a lot to him. It happened with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter when he hit a three-pointer to give the Blazers a 117-87 lead. “Prior to that I was asking to come out of the game just to get some rest,” Anthony said with a laugh. “But, again, just passing somebody like Tim Duncan and knowing what he brought to the game and what he established within the game of basketball and what he was able to do throughout his career, the championships and just the legend that he is, for me to be right there with him and pass him. ... And I’m still going, so that’s an honor for me.”
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Next on the list for Anthony is Dominique Wilkins at 13th. He scored 26,668 during his career. Anthony is a mere 169 points away. In fact, Anthony has chance to crack the top 10 this season. Should he maintain his scoring average of 13.3 per game and played in all 67 remaining games, he would score another 891 points to reach 27,390, placing him 10th all-time ahead of Elvin Hayes (27,313).
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Lillard, who entered the game with 14,979 points, joined Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler as the only Portland players to score 15,000 points for the franchise. "Fifteen thousand is a huge accomplishment, something that I'm proud of but my work is far from done," said Lillard, who finished the game with 15,013 total points. Drexler scored 18,040 points in 867 games with Portland. In Lillard's 620th game played, he tied Larry Bird as 21st-fastest in NBA history to score 15,000 points and fourth among active players behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. Lillard also moved to 19th on the NBA’s all-time list for three-pointers made in a career. Lillard now has 1,788, placing him ahead of Rashard Lewis (1,787). |
Lillard said he is proud to have reached 15,000 points but his work is far from done. The next milestone on the horizon is the franchise scoring record of 18,040 held by Clyde Drexler. Overtaking Drexler, Lillard said, is certainly a high priority. “I’m going to pass him,” Lillard said. “I don’t know when, but I’m going to pass him. I’ve got to continue to take care of myself and continue to work on my game and just be myself and stay healthy.” If Lillard continues his current scoring pace, he should blow past Drexler at some point next season. The most points Lillard has ever scored in a season is 2,067 in 2018-19.
January 2
1971
The Portland Trail Blazers laid an egg in their 136-113 loss to the Chicago Bulls behind Bob Love's 36 points and the play of center Tom Boerwinkle, who secured a triple-double with 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Boerwinkle was drafted as the 4th pick of the 1968 NBA Draft and played with the Bulls for 10 years. Although largely unappreciated during his playing days, Boerwinkle was a very efficient player, using his beefy 7'-0", 280 lbs. frame to grab rebounds and set picks while teammates like Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker and Bob Love did most of the scoring.
In his first 4 seasons, Boerwinkle affectionately know as "Wink", averaged 9.8 points and 12.2 rebounds, even setting a Bulls record of 37 rebounds, which still stands. Eight games into his 5th season, Boerwinkle suffered a knee injury which took a couple seasons to recover from. He retired in 1978 with career totals of 4,596 points, 5,745 rebounds, and 2,007 assists, and had five triple doubles in his career. He ranks second in Bulls history in total rebounds, fourth in seasons played (10), seventh in games played (635) and ninth in assists.
After retiring, he joined Dick Motta and the Dallas Mavericks as a part-time big man coach. Then in 1981 Boerwinkle decided to try something new and jumped into the oil business, becoming a co-owner of the Olympic Oil Company in south suburban Stickney, IL. During the early 1990s he returned to the Bulls, this time teaming up with play-by-play man Neil Funk as an analyst on the radio. Together Funk and Boerwinkle called Chicago’s first three championships on WMVP AM 1000.
In 2003 Tom Boerwinkle was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a form of leukemia. He bravely and gracefully battled the disease for 10 years before passing away on March 26, 2013, at the age of 67.
The Portland Trail Blazers laid an egg in their 136-113 loss to the Chicago Bulls behind Bob Love's 36 points and the play of center Tom Boerwinkle, who secured a triple-double with 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Boerwinkle was drafted as the 4th pick of the 1968 NBA Draft and played with the Bulls for 10 years. Although largely unappreciated during his playing days, Boerwinkle was a very efficient player, using his beefy 7'-0", 280 lbs. frame to grab rebounds and set picks while teammates like Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker and Bob Love did most of the scoring.
In his first 4 seasons, Boerwinkle affectionately know as "Wink", averaged 9.8 points and 12.2 rebounds, even setting a Bulls record of 37 rebounds, which still stands. Eight games into his 5th season, Boerwinkle suffered a knee injury which took a couple seasons to recover from. He retired in 1978 with career totals of 4,596 points, 5,745 rebounds, and 2,007 assists, and had five triple doubles in his career. He ranks second in Bulls history in total rebounds, fourth in seasons played (10), seventh in games played (635) and ninth in assists.
After retiring, he joined Dick Motta and the Dallas Mavericks as a part-time big man coach. Then in 1981 Boerwinkle decided to try something new and jumped into the oil business, becoming a co-owner of the Olympic Oil Company in south suburban Stickney, IL. During the early 1990s he returned to the Bulls, this time teaming up with play-by-play man Neil Funk as an analyst on the radio. Together Funk and Boerwinkle called Chicago’s first three championships on WMVP AM 1000.
In 2003 Tom Boerwinkle was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a form of leukemia. He bravely and gracefully battled the disease for 10 years before passing away on March 26, 2013, at the age of 67.
January 3
1970
1975
LaRue Martin, starting in place of Bill Walton, scored a career-high 22 points in the loss to Sonics. Bill Russell, the coach of the Sonics, made comments regarding Walton having bone-spurs.
LaRue Martin, starting in place of Bill Walton, scored a career-high 22 points in the loss to Sonics. Bill Russell, the coach of the Sonics, made comments regarding Walton having bone-spurs.
1982
Steve Johnson, the former Pac-10 Player of the Year at Oregon State University made his debut in Portland with the Kansas City Kings, scoring 33 points in the Blazers 127-116 overtime win. Johnson, the star player on the 1980/81 Orange Express team that was ranked #1 in the nation and finished with a 26-2 record, was the 7th pick overall in the 1981 draft. The 33 points were to be his career-high until he scored 40 points as a Blazer in the 1986/87 season.
A fantastic interview with Steve Johnson can be heard at the podcast inallairness.com with Adam Ryan on his September 8, 2020 program
Steve Johnson, the former Pac-10 Player of the Year at Oregon State University made his debut in Portland with the Kansas City Kings, scoring 33 points in the Blazers 127-116 overtime win. Johnson, the star player on the 1980/81 Orange Express team that was ranked #1 in the nation and finished with a 26-2 record, was the 7th pick overall in the 1981 draft. The 33 points were to be his career-high until he scored 40 points as a Blazer in the 1986/87 season.
A fantastic interview with Steve Johnson can be heard at the podcast inallairness.com with Adam Ryan on his September 8, 2020 program
1986
Clyde Drexler has his 4th triple-double in with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 133-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Mychal Thompson had 27 points but that was 3 points shy of what he had promised Portland Wrestler Billy Jack Haynes father. "I would have done it if I'd have played a little longer." Thompson was a big fan of the wrestler "Billy Jack told me if I didn't keep the promise to his dad, he'd body slam me."
Clyde Drexler has his 4th triple-double in with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 133-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Mychal Thompson had 27 points but that was 3 points shy of what he had promised Portland Wrestler Billy Jack Haynes father. "I would have done it if I'd have played a little longer." Thompson was a big fan of the wrestler "Billy Jack told me if I didn't keep the promise to his dad, he'd body slam me."
2000
Scottie Pippen played for the first time in Chicago as an opponent in the Portland Trail Blazers 88-63 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The 63 points represents the lowest total ever by a Blazer opponent
Scottie Pippen played for the first time in Chicago as an opponent in the Portland Trail Blazers 88-63 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The 63 points represents the lowest total ever by a Blazer opponent
1996
@rod_strickland scored 27 points and passed for 18 assists in @trailblazers 114-110 OT victory vs @celtics. The total is 2 shy of tying the #Blazers record of 20, which was set by Strickland in 1994. Strickland is one of 10 Blazers who had two stints with the Blazers |
2021
On this day in 2021, the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry scored a career-high 62 points in a 137-122 win over the Trail Blazers. It was the first (and still only) 60-point game of Curry's illustrious career.
Curry scored 31 points in both the first and second halves. He and Kobe Bryant (Dec. 20. 2005) are the onlv plavers in the last 25 NBA seasons to score at least 30 points in each half of a game.
On this day in 2021, the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry scored a career-high 62 points in a 137-122 win over the Trail Blazers. It was the first (and still only) 60-point game of Curry's illustrious career.
Curry scored 31 points in both the first and second halves. He and Kobe Bryant (Dec. 20. 2005) are the onlv plavers in the last 25 NBA seasons to score at least 30 points in each half of a game.
2022
With a career-high 43 points in a 136-131 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, @AnferneeSimons becomes the 22nd @trailblazers player to top 40 points. He becomes the youngest Blazer to ever top 40 points, hitting on 9 three-point attempts. Simons, whose grandfather died of cancer last night told @brookeolzendam that his grandfather "took over my body tonight". As well, for the Hawks, Trae Young scored a career-high 56 points and passed for 14 assists, becoming the 4th player ever with 50+ points and 14+ assists in a game. The other three are James Harden, Nate Archibald (twice) and Wilt Chamberlain. |
January 4
1971
Geoff Petrie scored 39 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 119-106 over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It wasn't a remarkable game except for the fact there is some video highlights of the game. Enjoy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdVi6XwX6zQ |
1977
The Portland Trail Blazers scored the biggest loss for the Boston Celtics when they defeated them 128-84. The 44 point drubbing was the largest in Celtics history to that point, topping a 42 point defeat in 1967. It would be the largest defeat until the Wizards (45 points) and Pistons (52) each beat the Celtics by a wider margin.
The Portland Trail Blazers scored the biggest loss for the Boston Celtics when they defeated them 128-84. The 44 point drubbing was the largest in Celtics history to that point, topping a 42 point defeat in 1967. It would be the largest defeat until the Wizards (45 points) and Pistons (52) each beat the Celtics by a wider margin.
1987
Bill Schonely broadcast his 1500th game with the Portland Trail Blazers and celebrated with a 128-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Schionely broadcast for the Blazers from their inception in 1970 until he retired in 1998, broadcasting nearly 3000 games total. |
1989
Clyde Drexler has his 10th triple-double with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 133-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers
Clyde Drexler has his 10th triple-double with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 133-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers
January 5
1971
Geoff Petrie continued his torrid scoring streak but it was Rick Adelman's career-high 27 points that proved vital in the Portland Trail Blazers 124-120 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Adelman hit 10 of his 16 attempts from the field on his way to 27 points. Adelman is in his 3rd season in the NBA and played 7 seasons overall before retiring in 1975. He joined the Blazer coaching staff in 1983 before becoming the head coach in 1989. He would lead the Blazers to 3 straight appearances in the Western Conference Finals and to the NBA Championship round twice (1990, 1992).
Celtic rookie Dave Cowens grabbed 24 rebounds as well as scoring 21 points. It his fourth 20 point, 20 rebound game in 41 games and he will have 3 more, as well as a total of 14 games with over 20 rebounds. Cowens and Petrie will share the NBA Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.
Geoff Petrie continued his torrid scoring streak but it was Rick Adelman's career-high 27 points that proved vital in the Portland Trail Blazers 124-120 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Adelman hit 10 of his 16 attempts from the field on his way to 27 points. Adelman is in his 3rd season in the NBA and played 7 seasons overall before retiring in 1975. He joined the Blazer coaching staff in 1983 before becoming the head coach in 1989. He would lead the Blazers to 3 straight appearances in the Western Conference Finals and to the NBA Championship round twice (1990, 1992).
Celtic rookie Dave Cowens grabbed 24 rebounds as well as scoring 21 points. It his fourth 20 point, 20 rebound game in 41 games and he will have 3 more, as well as a total of 14 games with over 20 rebounds. Cowens and Petrie will share the NBA Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.
1973
Sidney Wicks had his 5th 20/20 game but that was overshadowed by the brawl that erupted late in the Portland Trail Blazers135-102 victory over the 3-37 Philadelphia 76ers
With 5:14 left in the game, 3 Blazers and 2 Sixers were ejected after a fight that had both benches on the floor trying to restore order. The initial incident started when Sixers Dale Schlueter made gestures towards Blazer LaRue Martin. Martin and Schlueter started to scuffle and wrestled to the floor with Mike Price joining them under the Philadelphia basket.
As Martin, Schlueter, and Price were on the floor, Blazers Terry Dischinger and Bob Davis joined in, with Dischinger trying to seperate the plaers but then Davis started kicking Schlueter in the head. Sixer player John Q Trapp,in street clothes due to a team suspension, ran onto the court and joined in by bear-hugging Davis, who was appearing in only his 2nd game in the NBA. Larry Steele was on the court trying to get his roommate Dischinger disengaged from the mele.
Portland coach Jack McCloskey restrained Schlueter who was up off the floor and chasing after Davis. Order seemed to be restored but Dischinger and Price continued to exchange words but then exchanged punches before they were finally separated.
With 5:14 left in the game, 3 Blazers and 2 Sixers were ejected after a fight that had both benches on the floor trying to restore order. The initial incident started when Sixers Dale Schlueter made gestures towards Blazer LaRue Martin. Martin and Schlueter started to scuffle and wrestled to the floor with Mike Price joining them under the Philadelphia basket.
As Martin, Schlueter, and Price were on the floor, Blazers Terry Dischinger and Bob Davis joined in, with Dischinger trying to seperate the plaers but then Davis started kicking Schlueter in the head. Sixer player John Q Trapp,in street clothes due to a team suspension, ran onto the court and joined in by bear-hugging Davis, who was appearing in only his 2nd game in the NBA. Larry Steele was on the court trying to get his roommate Dischinger disengaged from the mele.
Portland coach Jack McCloskey restrained Schlueter who was up off the floor and chasing after Davis. Order seemed to be restored but Dischinger and Price continued to exchange words but then exchanged punches before they were finally separated.
NBA officials Jack Madden and Alan Brunkhorst ejected Martin, Dischinger, and Davis from Portland and Schlueter and Price from Philadelphia.
Price, Dischinger, and Schlueter all required medical attention at a local hospital with Schlueter treated for a severe bruise on his right cheekbone, and lacerations about his face and shoulder. Price suffered a gash on his shooting hand which required getting 14 stitches. Dischinger lost 2 teeth which he was able to insert back into his mouth, according to Blazer trainer Leo Marty.
All players involved were each fined $100 and there is no record of suspensions by the league or the teams.
Ironically, Dischinger was a dental student during the off-season. When he retired from the NBA after this season, he continued his education in Memphis, Tenn. before coming back to Portland, where he opened his own dental office in Lake Oswego before retiring in 2015. His son Bill Dischinger now runs Dischinger Orthodontics
Price, Dischinger, and Schlueter all required medical attention at a local hospital with Schlueter treated for a severe bruise on his right cheekbone, and lacerations about his face and shoulder. Price suffered a gash on his shooting hand which required getting 14 stitches. Dischinger lost 2 teeth which he was able to insert back into his mouth, according to Blazer trainer Leo Marty.
All players involved were each fined $100 and there is no record of suspensions by the league or the teams.
Ironically, Dischinger was a dental student during the off-season. When he retired from the NBA after this season, he continued his education in Memphis, Tenn. before coming back to Portland, where he opened his own dental office in Lake Oswego before retiring in 2015. His son Bill Dischinger now runs Dischinger Orthodontics
1974
A double dose of history when Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks were selected for the 1974 NBA All-Star Game, which will be held in Seattle on January 15. It is the first time two Blazers were selected, and with Petrie named a starter, the first time a Blazer is start an All-Star Game.
A double dose of history when Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks were selected for the 1974 NBA All-Star Game, which will be held in Seattle on January 15. It is the first time two Blazers were selected, and with Petrie named a starter, the first time a Blazer is start an All-Star Game.
1982
Billy Ray Bates came off the Portland Trail Blazers bench to score 25 points in the 115-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs despite 47 points from George Gervin, who scored 45 points the last time these two teams met. |
January 6
1971
Dale Schlueter and Sam Lacey had a rebounding duel in the Portland Trail Blazers 133-128 loss to the #CincinnatiRoyals. Schlueter, the third-year center, starting for Portland in Leroy Ellis's absence, and grabbed 21 rebounds while Geoff Petrie scored 32 points. For the Royals, rookie Sam Lacey grabbed 20 rebounds and scored 22 points. Norm Van Lier had a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. Rookie Nate Archibald scored 23 points. |
1972
Nate Thurmond became the 45th player in NBA History to score 10,000 points in the Golden State Warriors 119-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Thurmond needed 32 points to reach the mark and hit a jumper in the 4th quarter to get the milestone. He finished with 37 points along with 15 rebounds. Sidney Wicks led the Blazers with 29 points and 19 rebounds but the big news for Blazer fans was the lack of shooting by Geoff Petrie, who attempted only 9 shots in 35 minutes.
Nate Thurmond became the 45th player in NBA History to score 10,000 points in the Golden State Warriors 119-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Thurmond needed 32 points to reach the mark and hit a jumper in the 4th quarter to get the milestone. He finished with 37 points along with 15 rebounds. Sidney Wicks led the Blazers with 29 points and 19 rebounds but the big news for Blazer fans was the lack of shooting by Geoff Petrie, who attempted only 9 shots in 35 minutes.
1984
Michael Thompson records a triple double in the Trail Blazers 144-129 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Thompson ended the game with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists
Michael Thompson records a triple double in the Trail Blazers 144-129 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Thompson ended the game with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists
1989
Clyde Drexler scored a career-high 50 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 147-142 double-overtime win against the Sacramento Kings Drexler missed only nine of his 28 attempts from the field and hit 12 free throws in 49 minutes. Terry Porter helped his backcourt-mate as he passed for 17 assists and 22 points. Kevin Duckworth scored 30 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Drexler is 2nd #Blazers player to top 50 points, behind #GeoffPetrie, who twice scored 51 points. Since this game, 6 other Blazers have topped the 50 point mark. Besides #GeoffPetrie & #ClydeDrexler, @Iambiggie503, @RoyTeam, #AndreMiller, @CJMcCollum have all topped the mark once while @Dame_Lillard has done it 9 times. Highlights of Clyde Drexler's 50 points vs the @SacramentoKings at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CaD2wroPvs |
January 7
1973
Sidney Wicks has his 4th triple-double as a Portland Trail Blazers in the 101-96 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Wicks ended the game with 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 points while Geoff Petrie finished with 35 points. Bob Lanier led the Pistons with 32 points and 25 rebounds 1975
Larry Weinberg is named majority owner |
1983
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired guard Don Buse from the Indiana Pacers. The trade itself wasn't remarkable and Buse only played 41 games for Portland but it is listed as one of the weirdest trades in NBA History
The Blazers lent the Pacers Jon Spoelstra, their marketing guru, for a few weeks to set up their marketing department, in exchange for Buse.
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired guard Don Buse from the Indiana Pacers. The trade itself wasn't remarkable and Buse only played 41 games for Portland but it is listed as one of the weirdest trades in NBA History
The Blazers lent the Pacers Jon Spoelstra, their marketing guru, for a few weeks to set up their marketing department, in exchange for Buse.
1996
Clifford Robinson scored a career-high 41 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 113-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Robinson was a 2nd round draft pick in the 1989 NBA Draft and quickly rose to be the first man off the bench for Coach Rick Adelman. Robinson averaged 19 minutes of play his rookie year and played all 3 front court positions. His defense and timely buckets helped the Blazers get to the 1990 Championship round against the Detroit Pistons
Robinson continued to play more minutes over the 8 seasons in Portland. His scoring rose from 9 points his rookie season to a high of 21.3 in the 1995/96 season. His rebounding rose from 3.2 to a high of 6.7 in 1993/94. Robinson represented Portland that year in the NBA All-Star game. Robinson won the NBA 6th Man Award in the 1992/93 season.
Robinson signed with the Phoenix Suns in the summer of 1997 as a Free Agent. He left Portland ranked in the Top-10 in many categories including as the 3rd highest scorer with 10,405 points (now ranked 5th) 3,352 rebounds (10th) 644 games played (5th) 724 Blocks (2nd). He holds the team record for consecutive games played with 461, nearly 200 more than Damian Lillard
Clifford Robinson scored a career-high 41 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 113-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Robinson was a 2nd round draft pick in the 1989 NBA Draft and quickly rose to be the first man off the bench for Coach Rick Adelman. Robinson averaged 19 minutes of play his rookie year and played all 3 front court positions. His defense and timely buckets helped the Blazers get to the 1990 Championship round against the Detroit Pistons
Robinson continued to play more minutes over the 8 seasons in Portland. His scoring rose from 9 points his rookie season to a high of 21.3 in the 1995/96 season. His rebounding rose from 3.2 to a high of 6.7 in 1993/94. Robinson represented Portland that year in the NBA All-Star game. Robinson won the NBA 6th Man Award in the 1992/93 season.
Robinson signed with the Phoenix Suns in the summer of 1997 as a Free Agent. He left Portland ranked in the Top-10 in many categories including as the 3rd highest scorer with 10,405 points (now ranked 5th) 3,352 rebounds (10th) 644 games played (5th) 724 Blocks (2nd). He holds the team record for consecutive games played with 461, nearly 200 more than Damian Lillard
2014
Damian Lillard set a Portland Trail Blazers team record with points scored in a quarter in the 123-119 loss to the Sacramento Kings Lillard scored 26 points in the 4th quarter, setting a new record, on his way to 41 points for the game. It is the first game over 40 for Lillard
Damian Lillard set a Portland Trail Blazers team record with points scored in a quarter in the 123-119 loss to the Sacramento Kings Lillard scored 26 points in the 4th quarter, setting a new record, on his way to 41 points for the game. It is the first game over 40 for Lillard
January 8
1971
A team from Japan is visiting Portland thanks to Stu Inman.
A team from Japan is visiting Portland thanks to Stu Inman.
1975
Herman Sarkowsky sold the majority of his shares of the Blazers to Larry Weinberg in order to satisfy NFL rules to own the Seattle Seahawks.
Herman Sarkowsky sold the majority of his shares of the Blazers to Larry Weinberg in order to satisfy NFL rules to own the Seattle Seahawks.
1978
CBS Sports returned to Portland for a regionally televised game between the Blazers and the New Orleans Jazz, the Blazers first home TV game since the NBA Finals. Many video highlights can be viewed of this game at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emcsF4R7O4I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81FisAPLWU0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVW52yNZDmU |
With the 122-100 victory, the Blazers move to a 31-5 record and assure Coach Jack Ramsay will coach the NBA All-Star game. coming Feb 5 in Atlanta.
1987
Michael Jordan scored a then regular season career-high 53 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 121-117 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Jordan's career-high by this game in 1987 was 63 points, which he scored against the Boston Celtics in the 1986 playoffs but his regular season high was 50, which he scored in the first game of the 1986/87 season. Later this season he would top the 53 when he scored 61 points before eventually scoring 69 in the 1989/90 season.
Video Highlights of the 53 points here .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nAfRFnckuY
Michael Jordan scored a then regular season career-high 53 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 121-117 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Jordan's career-high by this game in 1987 was 63 points, which he scored against the Boston Celtics in the 1986 playoffs but his regular season high was 50, which he scored in the first game of the 1986/87 season. Later this season he would top the 53 when he scored 61 points before eventually scoring 69 in the 1989/90 season.
Video Highlights of the 53 points here .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nAfRFnckuY
2014
Nicolas Batum records his 4th triple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 110-94 victory over the Orlando Magic. Batum ends the game with 11 points, 12 rebounds , and 11 assists. Batum hit a 3-point shot as time was about to expire in order to get to 11 points.
It is also the @NBA debut of CJ McCollum, who came off the bench to score 4 points in 14 minutes. CJ sat out the first six weeks of the regular season with a foot injury. Prior to joining the Blazers, he was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the development league on January 1st, where he spent 4 days before coming back to Portland on January 5th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFZg6aavcJg&feature=youtu.be
Nicolas Batum records his 4th triple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 110-94 victory over the Orlando Magic. Batum ends the game with 11 points, 12 rebounds , and 11 assists. Batum hit a 3-point shot as time was about to expire in order to get to 11 points.
It is also the @NBA debut of CJ McCollum, who came off the bench to score 4 points in 14 minutes. CJ sat out the first six weeks of the regular season with a foot injury. Prior to joining the Blazers, he was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the development league on January 1st, where he spent 4 days before coming back to Portland on January 5th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFZg6aavcJg&feature=youtu.be
2016
Damian Lillard gets the upper hand personally with 40 points and 10 assists but Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors pull out the win against the Portland Trail Blazers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB0ExNGAZQQ
Damian Lillard gets the upper hand personally with 40 points and 10 assists but Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors pull out the win against the Portland Trail Blazers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB0ExNGAZQQ
January 9
1971
The expansion Portland Trail Blazers had their largest crowd witness the 114-96 victory over the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks. Jim Barnett made 14 of 17 shots from the field and led the Blazers with 32 points. Stan McKenzie added 21 points
|
1973
Rookie Lloyd Neal and Elvin Hayes had a rebounding duel going on in the Portland Trail Blazers 105-93 loss to the #BaltimoreBullets. Hayes ended the game with 22 rebounds and 23 points while Neal ended with 21 rebounds and 18 points. Geoff Petrie led all scorers with 30 points. Neal was a 3rd round pick in the 1972 NBA Draft from Middle Tennessee State, the 31st pick overall. Neal so impressed Blazer coach Jack McCloskey that he was the starting center from the start of the season despite standing 6'-7" and giving away at least 4" to many other starters. Neal averaged 13.4 points and 11.8 rebounds his rookie season, earning him a spot on the All-Rookie team. Neal grabbed 967 rebounds that year, which still stands as a club record. For his career, he averaged over 11 points and 7.7 rebounds in 7 seasons.
Neal missed only 2 games in his first three seasons but developed knee problems midway thru the 1975/76 season which limited his minutes and games played. Neal and Maurice Lucas collided on March 1, 1978 and that injury proved to be the end of his career. He tried to come back in the 1978/79 season but retired after 4 games. His number 36 was the first number retired by the Blazers
Rookie Lloyd Neal and Elvin Hayes had a rebounding duel going on in the Portland Trail Blazers 105-93 loss to the #BaltimoreBullets. Hayes ended the game with 22 rebounds and 23 points while Neal ended with 21 rebounds and 18 points. Geoff Petrie led all scorers with 30 points. Neal was a 3rd round pick in the 1972 NBA Draft from Middle Tennessee State, the 31st pick overall. Neal so impressed Blazer coach Jack McCloskey that he was the starting center from the start of the season despite standing 6'-7" and giving away at least 4" to many other starters. Neal averaged 13.4 points and 11.8 rebounds his rookie season, earning him a spot on the All-Rookie team. Neal grabbed 967 rebounds that year, which still stands as a club record. For his career, he averaged over 11 points and 7.7 rebounds in 7 seasons.
Neal missed only 2 games in his first three seasons but developed knee problems midway thru the 1975/76 season which limited his minutes and games played. Neal and Maurice Lucas collided on March 1, 1978 and that injury proved to be the end of his career. He tried to come back in the 1978/79 season but retired after 4 games. His number 36 was the first number retired by the Blazers
1977
1995
For the first time, fans of the Portland Trail Blazers were able to take their beers back to their seats in the Memorial Coliseum and they celebrated wildly during the 129-83 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. It is the worst Lakers loss in franchise history
For the first time, fans of the Portland Trail Blazers were able to take their beers back to their seats in the Memorial Coliseum and they celebrated wildly during the 129-83 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. It is the worst Lakers loss in franchise history
2011
LeBron James, Dwayne Wade combined for 78 points in the Miami Heat 107-100 overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj4WPSWx2oc
LeBron James, Dwayne Wade combined for 78 points in the Miami Heat 107-100 overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj4WPSWx2oc
2021
CJ McCollum moved into the top 10 of the Blazers list of all-time scorers Saturday night during a 125-99 win at Sacramento. McCollum entered the game with 9,098 career points and needing 22 to move past Rasheed Wallace (9,119). That moment came when McCollum hit a three-pointer at the 7:37 mark in the third quarter to give him 24 points on the night and 9,122 for his career.
McCollum finished the game with 37 points on 13-of-22. That includes making 6 of 11 three-point attempts. His career total is now 9,135. McCollum trails No. 9 Mychal Thompson (9,215) by 80 points. “It’s really cool, man,” McCollum said regarding passing Wallace. “I grew up watching Rasheed. Him playing in the Air Force Ones with the strap in the backs. And the ‘ball don’t lie’ stuff. We still use that to this day. So, it’s an honor to be in the same conversation as someone like him, who was so dominant and influential in the game.”
CJ McCollum moved into the top 10 of the Blazers list of all-time scorers Saturday night during a 125-99 win at Sacramento. McCollum entered the game with 9,098 career points and needing 22 to move past Rasheed Wallace (9,119). That moment came when McCollum hit a three-pointer at the 7:37 mark in the third quarter to give him 24 points on the night and 9,122 for his career.
McCollum finished the game with 37 points on 13-of-22. That includes making 6 of 11 three-point attempts. His career total is now 9,135. McCollum trails No. 9 Mychal Thompson (9,215) by 80 points. “It’s really cool, man,” McCollum said regarding passing Wallace. “I grew up watching Rasheed. Him playing in the Air Force Ones with the strap in the backs. And the ‘ball don’t lie’ stuff. We still use that to this day. So, it’s an honor to be in the same conversation as someone like him, who was so dominant and influential in the game.”
January 10
1962
Shellie Annette Nielsen was born in Lebanon OR. She played HS Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Soccer at West Albany HS from 1977 to 1980, lettering in all sports. She consistently made the Honor Roll at WA, including making The Who's Who role during her senior year. Below are are a couple of pictures of her time as a basketball player. There are more and they are scattered around from when she graced the pages of the Albany Democrat-Herald.
Shellie Annette Nielsen was born in Lebanon OR. She played HS Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Soccer at West Albany HS from 1977 to 1980, lettering in all sports. She consistently made the Honor Roll at WA, including making The Who's Who role during her senior year. Below are are a couple of pictures of her time as a basketball player. There are more and they are scattered around from when she graced the pages of the Albany Democrat-Herald.
1972
The @trailblazers conducted their 1-on-1 challenges to see who advances in inaugural @NBA contest. #DaleSchlueter & #RonKnight were #Blazers players to advance to tournament, but both lost in 1st rd, Schlueter to Mike Newlin & Knight to JoJo White |
1978
The Blazers defeat the NY Knicks as Lonnie Shelton returns to Oregon for first time as a pro.
The Blazers defeat the NY Knicks as Lonnie Shelton returns to Oregon for first time as a pro.
1986
Clyde Drexler nearly pulls of an historic quadruple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 95-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Besides the loss on the court, the Blazers also lost Sam Bowie to a leg injury late in the 4th quarter. More on that below.
Drexler finished the game with his 5th triple-double of his career, recording 26 points, 11 assists and 10 steals but was 1 rebound shy of getting the NBA's 2nd known quadruple-double. Only Nate Thurmond had achieved the feat by this date when he recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks against the Atlanta Hawks in 1974. Since this game, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson matched Thurmond's feat. See chart below. Drexler would miss achieving the feat once more later in his career when he played for the Houston Rockets in 1996. That game he finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals, and 9 assists.
Highlights of Clyde Drexler's near quadruple-double
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJSW38jtgnc
Clyde Drexler nearly pulls of an historic quadruple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 95-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Besides the loss on the court, the Blazers also lost Sam Bowie to a leg injury late in the 4th quarter. More on that below.
Drexler finished the game with his 5th triple-double of his career, recording 26 points, 11 assists and 10 steals but was 1 rebound shy of getting the NBA's 2nd known quadruple-double. Only Nate Thurmond had achieved the feat by this date when he recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks against the Atlanta Hawks in 1974. Since this game, Alvin Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson matched Thurmond's feat. See chart below. Drexler would miss achieving the feat once more later in his career when he played for the Houston Rockets in 1996. That game he finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals, and 9 assists.
Highlights of Clyde Drexler's near quadruple-double
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJSW38jtgnc
Initial reports were that Bowie broke his right leg when he and teammate Jerome Kersey collided under the basket with 3:03 remaining. Bowie fell to the floor first and Kersey landed on his leg. Bowie was removed by stretcher and was sent to hospital. The doctor in Milwaukee noticed a hairline fracture and put his right leg in a cast. That hairline was from his injury when he was in college.
Bowie missed a month of play before playing 3 more games in mid February. Despite decent play, the Blazers would end his season due to a shin injury on his left leg, the one Kersey fell on. He would miss the rest of the season.
Bowie missed a month of play before playing 3 more games in mid February. Despite decent play, the Blazers would end his season due to a shin injury on his left leg, the one Kersey fell on. He would miss the rest of the season.
January 11
1972
Dale Schlueter has his 2nd triple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 114-106 victory over the #BaltimoreBullets.
Schlueter finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in helping the young Blazers win a second game in a row for the first time in the 1971/72 season. His counter-part for the #Bullets Wes Unseld grabbed 29 rebounds and added 24 points. Archie Clark led all scorers with 30 points.
Geoff Petrie and Gary Gregor each scored 25 points and Sidney Wicks added 22 points. Wicks and Gregor each added 14 rebounds.
Limited to 44 games last season, Gregor was able to play all 82 games for the Blazers this season. He averaged 11 points and 7.2 rebounds during the 1971/72, which he played under an expiring contract which allowed him to be a Free Agent for the following season. He signed with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Blazers received a 2nd round pick in the 1974 draft as compensation. He was traded a month later to the Milwaukee Bucks before moving to the New York Nets in the #ABA
Dale Schlueter has his 2nd triple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 114-106 victory over the #BaltimoreBullets.
Schlueter finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in helping the young Blazers win a second game in a row for the first time in the 1971/72 season. His counter-part for the #Bullets Wes Unseld grabbed 29 rebounds and added 24 points. Archie Clark led all scorers with 30 points.
Geoff Petrie and Gary Gregor each scored 25 points and Sidney Wicks added 22 points. Wicks and Gregor each added 14 rebounds.
Limited to 44 games last season, Gregor was able to play all 82 games for the Blazers this season. He averaged 11 points and 7.2 rebounds during the 1971/72, which he played under an expiring contract which allowed him to be a Free Agent for the following season. He signed with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Blazers received a 2nd round pick in the 1974 draft as compensation. He was traded a month later to the Milwaukee Bucks before moving to the New York Nets in the #ABA
1976
Bill Walton scored a career-high 36 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in only 31 minutes of action
Bill Walton scored a career-high 36 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in only 31 minutes of action
January 12
1971
Geoff Petrie appears in the NBA All-Star game, the first Portland Trail Blazers player to do so. Petrie played 5 minutes, was 0-3 from the field but had an assist to Elvin Hayes. Screen captures from the game highlights are below |
1979
Maurice Lucas scores a career-high 46 points but it wasn't enough as the Portland Trail Blazers fall to the Boston Celtics 128-125.
Lucas also grabbed 17 rebounds
Maurice Lucas scores a career-high 46 points but it wasn't enough as the Portland Trail Blazers fall to the Boston Celtics 128-125.
Lucas also grabbed 17 rebounds
January 13
2021
Damian Lillard scored eight of his season-high 40 points in the final four minutes, and the Portland Trail Blazers tied a franchise record with 23 3-pointers to beat the Sacramento Kings 132-126 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight victory. Lillard and CJ McCollum led Portland from behind the arc with six 3's apiece. Lillard added 13 assists without a turnover, while McCollum had 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic had a season-best 18 points and 13 rebounds. Lillard is seven field goals shy of becoming the third player in franchise history to reach 5,000 for his career. Clyde Drexler(6,889) and LaMarcus Aldridge(5,121) are the others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIE3qKWSEnM |
January 14
1975
Sidney Wicks made his 4th, and final, appearance in the NBA All-Star game and had the best game of the four. Wicks scored 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in his 23 mins off the bench. Wicks was under consideration for being named MVP of the contest as the West squad made their comeback. For his career, Wicks totaled 49 points and 17 rebounds in 81 minutes of action.
No Blazers were chosen for the 1976 game, marking the 1st time no Portland player played. In 50 years, 16 players have been selected to play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E19xXilqEiQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIVFAaz0rdo
Sidney Wicks made his 4th, and final, appearance in the NBA All-Star game and had the best game of the four. Wicks scored 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in his 23 mins off the bench. Wicks was under consideration for being named MVP of the contest as the West squad made their comeback. For his career, Wicks totaled 49 points and 17 rebounds in 81 minutes of action.
No Blazers were chosen for the 1976 game, marking the 1st time no Portland player played. In 50 years, 16 players have been selected to play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E19xXilqEiQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIVFAaz0rdo
The same day as the NBA All-Star game, an interview with Bill Walton was published in Newsday.
1986
The Blazers traded Darnell Valentine to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 1st round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. The teams will also swap 1988 2nd round picks. The Blazers would use that 1st round pick, the 24th overall pick, to select Arvydas Sabonis. The selection the Clippers gave up was originally a Celtic pick that was traded to Los Angeles for Bill Walton.
Valentine played college basketball at the University of Kansas where he was a 3-time Academic All-American and was a member of the 1980 Summer Olympics men's basketball team. The team was unable to compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1st round (16th pick overall) of the 1981 NBA Draft, Valentine played 4½ years with the Trail Blazers. In 300 regular season games with Portland, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists a game. Besides the Los Angeles Clippers Valentine would also play for the Cleveland Cavaliers during his 10-year NBA career. He finished with career averages of 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 620 NBA games. After winding up his NBA career, Valentine played three seasons in the Italian Basketball League.
From 1994 to 2004 Valentine served as a Regional Representative for the National Basketball Players Association before working for the Portland Trail Blazers as Director of Player Programs from September 2004 to December 2007. According to Wikipedia, Valentine currently works for Precision Castparts Corp. in Portland.
The Blazers traded Darnell Valentine to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 1st round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. The teams will also swap 1988 2nd round picks. The Blazers would use that 1st round pick, the 24th overall pick, to select Arvydas Sabonis. The selection the Clippers gave up was originally a Celtic pick that was traded to Los Angeles for Bill Walton.
Valentine played college basketball at the University of Kansas where he was a 3-time Academic All-American and was a member of the 1980 Summer Olympics men's basketball team. The team was unable to compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1st round (16th pick overall) of the 1981 NBA Draft, Valentine played 4½ years with the Trail Blazers. In 300 regular season games with Portland, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists a game. Besides the Los Angeles Clippers Valentine would also play for the Cleveland Cavaliers during his 10-year NBA career. He finished with career averages of 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 620 NBA games. After winding up his NBA career, Valentine played three seasons in the Italian Basketball League.
From 1994 to 2004 Valentine served as a Regional Representative for the National Basketball Players Association before working for the Portland Trail Blazers as Director of Player Programs from September 2004 to December 2007. According to Wikipedia, Valentine currently works for Precision Castparts Corp. in Portland.
1993
The Portland Trail Blazers hung a No. 77 in the rafters of Memorial Coliseum on Thursday night, in honor of Dr. Jack Ramsay -- the man who guided them to a championship in 1977. Ramsay, who won 453 games during his 10-year run as the team's coach and a total of 864 in the National Basketball Association, was honored in a pregame ceremony.
The Number 77 was retired in honor of Dr. Jack Ramsay and the '77 Championship Blazers.
https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/jack-ramsay-portland-perfect-match/story?id=23504684 |
2005
Damon Stoudamire set a Blazer record with 54 points in the 112-106 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. The 54 points breaks the record of 51 points by Geoff Petrie, who twice scored that amount in 1973. Stoudamire hit 20 of 32 shots from the field, including 8 of 16 from the 3-point line, in 42 minutes of action. His backcourt mate Nick Van Exel added 23 points and 11 assists. No other Blazer hit double figures.
Dan Dickau, a former and future Blazer, scored a career high 25 points off the bench for the Hornets. Dickau, who like Stoudamire, was born in Portland but attended High School across the Columbia River in Brush Prairie, Washington, played for the Blazers in 2004 and again in the 2006/07 season.
Dickau was selected in the first round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, the 28th overall pick but was traded to Atlanta. Overall, Dickau was traded eight times and wore various jersey numbers in his six-year NBA career:
After retiring in 2010, Dickau joined the Blazers coaching staff for the 2011/12 season before becoming a TV analyst for the Pac-12 Network, CBS Sports Network and Westwood One.
Game highlights are at this youtube link .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSsgXW-Zyh8
Damon Stoudamire set a Blazer record with 54 points in the 112-106 loss to the New Orleans Hornets. The 54 points breaks the record of 51 points by Geoff Petrie, who twice scored that amount in 1973. Stoudamire hit 20 of 32 shots from the field, including 8 of 16 from the 3-point line, in 42 minutes of action. His backcourt mate Nick Van Exel added 23 points and 11 assists. No other Blazer hit double figures.
Dan Dickau, a former and future Blazer, scored a career high 25 points off the bench for the Hornets. Dickau, who like Stoudamire, was born in Portland but attended High School across the Columbia River in Brush Prairie, Washington, played for the Blazers in 2004 and again in the 2006/07 season.
Dickau was selected in the first round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, the 28th overall pick but was traded to Atlanta. Overall, Dickau was traded eight times and wore various jersey numbers in his six-year NBA career:
- to the Atlanta Hawks (#12) on June 26, 2002 (on draft night for a first-round pick);
- to the Portland Trail Blazers (#7) on February 9, 2004 (Rasheed Wallace trade);
- to the Golden State Warriors (#10) on July 20, 2004 (Nick Van Exel trade);
- to the Dallas Mavericks (#21) on August 24, 2004 (Erick Dampier trade);
- to the New Orleans Hornets (#2) on December 3, 2004 (Darrell Armstrong trade);
- to the Boston Celtics (#20) on October 1, 2005 (New Orleans received a second-round draft pick);
- to the Portland Trail Blazers (for a second time, via a trade involving former teammate Theo Ratliff) (#2) on June 28, 2006 and
- to the New York Knicks (#1) on June 28, 2007 (Zach Randolph and Steve Francis trade).
After retiring in 2010, Dickau joined the Blazers coaching staff for the 2011/12 season before becoming a TV analyst for the Pac-12 Network, CBS Sports Network and Westwood One.
Game highlights are at this youtube link .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSsgXW-Zyh8
January 15
1970
Is the NBA cooling on expansion? Amid rumors of a merger with the ABA, the NBA seems to be giving the impression to stand tight and not expand.
Is the NBA cooling on expansion? Amid rumors of a merger with the ABA, the NBA seems to be giving the impression to stand tight and not expand.
1985
1991
Clyde Drexler records his 16th regular season triple-double in the Portland Trail Blazers 132-117 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Drexler had 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in the game. Off the bench, Mark Bryant scored a career-high 20 points in 31 minutes. Bryant, the Blazers 1st round pick in the 1988 NBA Draft from Seton Hall, played 7 seasons with Portland. He averaged 5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15 minutes of action. Bryant played for 10 teams in his 15 years in the league. After retiring as a player in 2003, he became an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericksduring the 2004–05 season before moving to the Orlando Magic from 2005 to 2007. Bryant was an assistant coach for the #SeattleSuperSonicsduring their last official season (07/08) before the team moved to Oklahoma City Thunder where he remained until the end of the 2018–19 NBA season. Bryant is currently an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns |
2003
During a 2003 regular-season game, Donaghy called a technical foul on Rasheed Wallace, then playing with the Portland Trail Blazers, for throwing a ball at another official during a game. Wallace confronted Donaghy after the game, screaming obscenities and, according to Donaghy, threatening him. Wallace was suspended for seven games, the longest suspension issued by the league for an incident not involving violence or drugs.
During a 2003 regular-season game, Donaghy called a technical foul on Rasheed Wallace, then playing with the Portland Trail Blazers, for throwing a ball at another official during a game. Wallace confronted Donaghy after the game, screaming obscenities and, according to Donaghy, threatening him. Wallace was suspended for seven games, the longest suspension issued by the league for an incident not involving violence or drugs.
January 16
1989
2019
@bosnianbeast27 records his 1st triple-double in the @trailblazers. 129-112 victory over the @cavs. Less than a week after 2 assists shy of accomplishing the feat, Nurkic finished with 10 points, rebounds, and assists in 28 minutes of action. The teams combined for only 7 turnovers, the fewest in NBA History since the league started officially keeping track of turnovers in 1973. |
2021
CJ McCollum entered today's contest against the Atlanta Hawks tied with Mychal Thompson for 9th place on the all-time Blazers scoring list with 9,215. With his first bucket, McCollum moved into sole possession of 9th place. McCollum had to leave the game with a foot injury and ended with 9,220 points. Last week, CJ passed Rasheed Wallace to enter the top-ten against the Sacramento Kings. Next up will be Geoff Petrie at 9,732 points
https://twitter.com/NBCSNorthwest/status/1350643074536497159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1350643074536497159%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fcj-mccollum-passes-mychal-thompson-014325510.html
CJ McCollum entered today's contest against the Atlanta Hawks tied with Mychal Thompson for 9th place on the all-time Blazers scoring list with 9,215. With his first bucket, McCollum moved into sole possession of 9th place. McCollum had to leave the game with a foot injury and ended with 9,220 points. Last week, CJ passed Rasheed Wallace to enter the top-ten against the Sacramento Kings. Next up will be Geoff Petrie at 9,732 points
https://twitter.com/NBCSNorthwest/status/1350643074536497159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1350643074536497159%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fcj-mccollum-passes-mychal-thompson-014325510.html
January 17
2015
Wes Matthews scores his 774th three-point shot as a Blazer, passing Terry Porter as the teams All-Time leader.
Matthews played 5 season with Portland before signing with the Dallas Mavericks. He finished his time in Portland with 862 three-pointers. He would eventually be passed by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Wes Matthews scores his 774th three-point shot as a Blazer, passing Terry Porter as the teams All-Time leader.
Matthews played 5 season with Portland before signing with the Dallas Mavericks. He finished his time in Portland with 862 three-pointers. He would eventually be passed by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
2020
Damian Lillard had an impressive first half against the Mavericks versus Dallas, ending the half with 25 points and the game with 34 points. Not only was it a great half of basketball for the Blazers star, but it also happened to be historic. With 2:29 left in the second quarter, Lillard drove to the basket and scored his 21st point of the game. It also happened to give him 14,000 points for his career. Scoring 14,000 points is monumental enough. To do it in just eight seasons is incredible... and rare. |
Lillard now sits with some elite company. There are only four active players in the NBA that have scored 14,000 points in just eight seasons: Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and now Lillard.
In the same game, Carmelo Anthony reached another milestone, becoming the 18th player in NBA History to reach the 26,000 plateau. Anthony ended the game with 26,001 points, 70 shy of Kevin Garnett. |
2022
For the third time as a @trailblazers, the @bosnianbeast27 had a 20/20 night when he totaled 21 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in the Blazers 98-88 victory over the Orlando Magic. Nurkic has now tied LeRoy Ellis & Maurice Lucas with three 20/20 games. Michael Thompson has four such games, LaMarcus Aldridge has five, and Sidney Wicks has six. @BillWalton is Portland's All-Time leader, topping the 20/20 mark eight times. |
2023
Damian Lillard tops the 40 point mark for the 45th time.
Damian Lillard tops the 40 point mark for the 45th time.
January 18
1972
Sidney Wicks makes his 1st NBAAll-Star appearance as a Portland Trail Blazers. He scored 4 points in 10 minutes of action
Sidney Wicks makes his 1st NBAAll-Star appearance as a Portland Trail Blazers. He scored 4 points in 10 minutes of action
1985
Eaton connected on a single field goal but hit a career-high 10 free throws to end with 12 points, 20 rebounds and a career-high 14 blocked shots. Eaton played all 11 years with the Jazz and led the NBA in blocked shots 4 times and is ranked #1 all-time with a 3.5 average. He finished with 3064 blocks and is currently ranked 5th all-time.
Eaton connected on a single field goal but hit a career-high 10 free throws to end with 12 points, 20 rebounds and a career-high 14 blocked shots. Eaton played all 11 years with the Jazz and led the NBA in blocked shots 4 times and is ranked #1 all-time with a 3.5 average. He finished with 3064 blocks and is currently ranked 5th all-time.
In addition to scoring 42 points in the game, Adrian Dantley also passed the 15K career points. Dantley was the 38th player in NBA History to top 15K. He finished his career with 23,177 points. Dantley was the ROY in 1977 when he played with the Buffalo Braves. He was traded to Indiana Pacers the summer after his rookie season but then was traded to the Lakers after 23 games with the Pacers. Los Angeles traded him to Utah in 1979, playing with the Jazz until a trade to the Detroit Pistons in 1986. While with the Pistons, Dantley passed the 20K mark also against the Blazers. |
1994
Terry Porter becomes the first Portland Trail Blazers player to record 5,000 assists in the Blazers 104-103 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Porter is the Blazers all-time leader with 5319 assists.
Terry Porter becomes the first Portland Trail Blazers player to record 5,000 assists in the Blazers 104-103 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Porter is the Blazers all-time leader with 5319 assists.
1998
Arvydas Sabonis records his career-high 20 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 94-82 victory over the Denver Nuggets Sabonis, drafted by Portland in 1986, didn't join the Blazers until 1995. He played 7 seasons totaling 3436 total rebounds which ranks him 8th all-time. Sabonis began his professional career in 1981 at the age of 17 in Russia before moving to Spain in 1989.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvydas_Sabonis#Portland_Trail_Blazers
Arvydas Sabonis records his career-high 20 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 94-82 victory over the Denver Nuggets Sabonis, drafted by Portland in 1986, didn't join the Blazers until 1995. He played 7 seasons totaling 3436 total rebounds which ranks him 8th all-time. Sabonis began his professional career in 1981 at the age of 17 in Russia before moving to Spain in 1989.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvydas_Sabonis#Portland_Trail_Blazers
2005
Joel Przybilla records what were his career-highs with 17 points and 22 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 113-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings Przybilla would eventually best both marks, with 19 points and 26 rebounds. He played 8 seasons with the Blazers in 2 different stints. |
January 19
1970
1975
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar met, and owned, Bill Walton in their first ever regular season meeting as the veteran center scored 50 points in the Milwaukee Bucks 122-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Abdul-Jabbar finished with a triple double as he added 15 rebounds and tied his career-high when he passed for 11 assists.
The two UCLA centers met during the preseason in Dayton, Ohio on October 4 when Abdul-Jabbar scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but Walton scored 15 points and had 16 rebounds then. Today, after recently missing 18 games due to a bone-spur injury and other off-court issues, Walton came off the bench to score 7 points. While the two centers were on the court, Walton conceded 22 points while the other 28 came when LaRue Martin and Lloyd Neal attempted to guard Abdul-Jabbar. The off-court issues deal with reports that Walton is wanting out of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers according to the The New York Times |
January 20
1970
1971
#BuffaloBrave center Bob Kauffman continued his All-Star season with 24 points and 20 rebounds in the Braves 126-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jim Barnett led the Blazers with 35 points Kauffman is a 3rd year center from Guilford College who's found a new NBA life with the expansion Braves. Kauffman was averaging just over 5 points and rebounds before joining Buffalo. Kauffman's averaged jumped to 20.4 points and 10.7 rebounds in the 1970/71 season. In his 4 years with Buffalo, Kauffman averaged 15.8 points and just under 10 rebounds. |
Kauffman averaged 22.7 points and 15.9 rebounds in his college career. He still holds Guilford records for single-game rebounds (32), single-season rebounds (698) career field goals (943), single-season field goal percentage (.712) single-season free throws (273), career free throws (684) and single-season free-throw attempts (344).
Kauffman passed away in 2015 at the age of 69.
Kauffman passed away in 2015 at the age of 69.
1973
Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks combined for 89 points in Portland Trail Blazers 130-115 victory over the Houston Rockets. Wicks tied his career-high with 38 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while Petrie set a club record with 51 points. Petrie, who's previous high was 46 points, connected on 19 of 35 shots from the field and 13 of 14 free throws. The total field goals. Both field goal marks set a club record that would stand for nearly two weeks before Petrie would best them on February 8. But we shall wait for that day to come. |
2012
LaMarcus Aldridge becomes the seventh Portland Trail Blazers player to record over 30 points and 20 rebounds in the Blazers 94-84 victory over the Toronto Raptors Aldridge finished with 33 points and 23 rebounds. His point total is the highest for a Blazer with over 20 rebounds. Aldridge also passed for 5 assists and had 2 steals. |
2014
January 20, 2014 - LaMarcus Aldridge records 27 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 126-113 loss to the Houston Rockets
January 20, 2014 - LaMarcus Aldridge records 27 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the Portland Trail Blazers 126-113 loss to the Houston Rockets
2020
After sinking a three-pointer with seven minutes left in Monday’s game to give the Portland Trail Blazers their first lead since early in the second quarter, Damian Lillard confidently stared at his wrist.
It was Dame Time.
Lillard scored 61 points behind 11 three-pointers Monday night to set franchise records for both points and three-pointers in a game and lead the Blazers to a 129-124 overtime win over the last-place Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center. With 15.3 seconds left in regulation, Lillard sank a three-pointer to send Monday’s game to overtime. He then scored another seven points in overtime, hitting back-to-back free throws with 26.7 seconds left to give the Blazers (19-26) the final lead of the night. As the final seconds wound down, the crowd serenaded Lillard with chants of “MVP, MVP, MVP.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB6mfS3w5g
After sinking a three-pointer with seven minutes left in Monday’s game to give the Portland Trail Blazers their first lead since early in the second quarter, Damian Lillard confidently stared at his wrist.
It was Dame Time.
Lillard scored 61 points behind 11 three-pointers Monday night to set franchise records for both points and three-pointers in a game and lead the Blazers to a 129-124 overtime win over the last-place Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center. With 15.3 seconds left in regulation, Lillard sank a three-pointer to send Monday’s game to overtime. He then scored another seven points in overtime, hitting back-to-back free throws with 26.7 seconds left to give the Blazers (19-26) the final lead of the night. As the final seconds wound down, the crowd serenaded Lillard with chants of “MVP, MVP, MVP.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB6mfS3w5g
January 21
1970
https://www.johncanzano.com/p/canzano-dottie-is-forever-at-her?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=795059&post_id=104859140&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
https://www.johncanzano.com/p/canzano-bill-schonely-laid-to-rest
https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/a-warm-wonderful-goodbye-to-the-schonz?fbclid=IwAR1iKlZ-iQN7fzyc6H40Oig3Eg3gryBELVeASa26GyPrqL3g2hCONA0m_GA
https://www.johncanzano.com/p/canzano-bill-schonely-laid-to-rest
https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/a-warm-wonderful-goodbye-to-the-schonz?fbclid=IwAR1iKlZ-iQN7fzyc6H40Oig3Eg3gryBELVeASa26GyPrqL3g2hCONA0m_GA
January 22
1970
1975
Sports Illustrated has a new article coming out about Bill Walton's relationship with his teammates, wanting to be traded or out of his contract among other items as the Blazers fall 96-94 to the Detroit Pistons
Sports Illustrated has a new article coming out about Bill Walton's relationship with his teammates, wanting to be traded or out of his contract among other items as the Blazers fall 96-94 to the Detroit Pistons
1977
Bill Walton makes the cover story of the Sporting News |
|
1983
Calvin Natt scored 33 points and helped the Portland Trail Blazers to a 113-96 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets. The Blazers outscored the Rockets 17-0 in the extra period, the widest margin of victory in NBA History |
1989
Terry Porter passed for 15 assists and Clyde Drexler scored 48 points but it wasn't enough as the Portland Trail Blazers fell 120-116 to the New York Knicks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAXWuBe-298
Terry Porter passed for 15 assists and Clyde Drexler scored 48 points but it wasn't enough as the Portland Trail Blazers fell 120-116 to the New York Knicks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAXWuBe-298
January 23
1971
Lew Alcindor scores 44 points, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 142-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers
Lew Alcindor scores 44 points, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 142-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers
Sidney Wicks makes his 2nd appearance in the NBA All-Star game on the day that the Vietnam War Cease Fire was signed. When the cease-fire was announced in the 3rd quarter of the game, a cheer came up from the crowd at the Chicago Stadium.
The Portland Trail Blazers forward, starting in place of injured Rick Barry, scored 13 points in 24 minutes of action.
The Portland Trail Blazers forward, starting in place of injured Rick Barry, scored 13 points in 24 minutes of action.
1976
Bill Walton had his fourth 20/20 game in the 119-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton finished with 27 points and 22 rebounds as well as 8 assists and 4 blocks
Bill Walton had his fourth 20/20 game in the 119-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton finished with 27 points and 22 rebounds as well as 8 assists and 4 blocks
1987
Terry Porter passes for what was a franchise record 18 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 109-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings. @terryporter30 would eventually best his 18 assists by 1 in the 1988/89 season before @rod_strickland would get 20 assists in 1994 and again in 1996.
Terry Porter passes for what was a franchise record 18 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 109-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings. @terryporter30 would eventually best his 18 assists by 1 in the 1988/89 season before @rod_strickland would get 20 assists in 1994 and again in 1996.
2014
About three hours before tipoff at the Moda Center, the NBA released results of fan voting for the NBA All-Star game during a live program on TNT before its weekly Thursday night double-header. And despite racking up gaudy statistics for one of the Western Conference’s best teams, Trail Blazerspower forward LaMarcus Aldridge was snubbed in favor of Blake Griffin and Kevin Love. As expected, despite his MVP-like credentials, Aldridge was ignored. He wouldn't be ignored for long. With an incredible individual performance before a national TNT audience, Aldridge had a career night in leading the Blazers to a come-from-behind 110-105 victory before a sellout crowd. In a dominant and clutch effort that prevented the Blazers from suffering their first three-game losing streak of the season, Aldridge recorded a career-high 44 points and added 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. He made 15 of 29 shots, 14 of 17 free throws — many coming in critical possessions down the stretch of a nip-and-tuck game — and he did it all with “MVP” chants echoing around the Moda Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yP1QnsDGD8&feature=youtu.be |
January 24
1970
The NBA is making new demands for the potential team coming to Portland. 1971
Geoff Petrie is profiled in the latest edition of The Sporting News as he is making a case for him to be Rookie of the Year. This article comes after the Blazers 53rd game, a 111-123 loss to the Buffalo Braves on this day in 1971. |
1976
Bill Walton records 28 points and 26 rebounds, the fifth time that Walton had greater than 20 points/rebounds in the Blazers 125-123 OT victory at Golden State. Rick Barry has 41 points in the loss
Bill Walton records 28 points and 26 rebounds, the fifth time that Walton had greater than 20 points/rebounds in the Blazers 125-123 OT victory at Golden State. Rick Barry has 41 points in the loss
1992
Bill Schonely describes his 2000th regular season game with the Blazers
Bill Schonely describes his 2000th regular season game with the Blazers
2009
Brandon Roy ties the Blazers record with 10 steals, the 3rd player to get 10 steals. Larry Steele set the club record on in 1974 and Clyde Drexler tied the record in 1986. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt93iKq6eiM |
January 25
1970
The NBA is close to expanding into the Portland market
The NBA is close to expanding into the Portland market
1971
The Sporting News article on Geoff Petrie
The Sporting News article on Geoff Petrie
1983
The @trailblazers first cable broadcast was today vs @Lakers, who stopped a 15-game home win streak with a 125-120 victory. ON-TV, broadcast on KECH-22 out of Salem, had just under 1M subscribers across the nation. KECH, in association with ON-TV, televised local Blazer games for nearly 2 years before declaring bankruptcy in 1985. It was also the 1,000th game broadcast by Bill Schonely. |
2017
The Blazers celebrated their 1977 Championship by inviting back the players that created Blazermania 40 years ago. Honoring 1977 The Blazers honored their 1977 championship team with special tributes throughout the game, including a special halftime ceremony where 10 members of the team were individually recognized. Before the game, Bill Walton, Bobby Gross, Lloyd Neal and Corky Calhoun stood behind the most prized possession in Portland Trail Blazers history: The 1977 Larry O’Brien Championship trophy. One by one, family by family, fans slogged through the line and approached their heroes, gazing at the trophy, exchanging a little small talk and pausing for a photograph to capture the moment. At one point, two 30-something women reached out and put their hands on history, prompting security guards and team personnel to shout: “Don’t touch the trophy! Don’t touch the trophy!” “Bill gave them permission,” someone shouted back. Before long, everyone who walked up touched the hardware. “It’s fine,” Walton announced. “They can touch it.” The Blazers celebrated the 40th anniversary of their only championship Wednesday night at the Moda Center and no one was going to tell the person who delivered that franchise-defining moment to stick to the rules. “Forty years — I can’t believe it,” Walton said. “It seems like yesterday. And the memories. The freshness and just the happiness. It was the ultimate celebration of basketball, as fine as it’s ever been played, in front of these incredible fans and in this beautiful place.” Blazers coach Terry Stotts got in on the tribute, too. Stotts donned a plaid suit jacket and wide collared shirt reminiscent of Coach Jack Ramsey’s sideline attire from the 1970s. https://youtu.be/Bo5qSHBSXMM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWZhoCRrsfc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGgWr3RllFE |
My dear boys Dustin and Brennen. One of the best - and saddest - days as a dad and Blazer fan was on this day.
It was so much fun to hang with you two. My best friends. This was the game that I handed out business cards, we got to see the championship trophy, we saw all the players I’ve told you about. And Bill Walton stole the post-game show. I was giddy and I’m sure you two looked at me and wonder, well, I can only hope it was in wonderment as to how this team has made me feel for so long because I see me in the both of you regarding this team. The worst part was that night / next morning when I realized I couldn’t share my giddiness with your mother. I remember being extremely sad. She would have just been so happy to see our smiles and to hear us go on about the whole experience. I know she smiles over us so many days and this was definitely one of them. Love you both, dad |
January 26
1973
For the 15th time, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, this time a 120-116 loss, despite 65 points by Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks. Already in their 3rd year, the Blazers are winless against only the Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Blazers would end the streak against the Suns in their next game (see below) which would be televised back to Portland, but would not defeat the Lakers until the teams 4th season, after 17 straight losses. In this game, LaMar Green set a Suns record vs the Blazers of 21 rebounds that still stands today for Phoenix.
For the 15th time, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, this time a 120-116 loss, despite 65 points by Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks. Already in their 3rd year, the Blazers are winless against only the Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Blazers would end the streak against the Suns in their next game (see below) which would be televised back to Portland, but would not defeat the Lakers until the teams 4th season, after 17 straight losses. In this game, LaMar Green set a Suns record vs the Blazers of 21 rebounds that still stands today for Phoenix.
1977
Bill Walton tied a club record by blocking 9 shots in the Portland Trail Blazers 107-102 victory over the Denver Nuggets . Walton nearly had a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds along with the 9 blocks. Walton set the club record in 1974. In addition to the win, the NBA announced that Walton and Maurice Lucas have been named to the Western Conference All-Star team. It is the first time in three years that 2 Blazers were selected for the honor. Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks were the first teammates to be elected in 1974. |
1981
Norm Nixon passed for a then career-high 18 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers 124-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Magic Johnson is better known as the Lakers playmaker but Johnson only played 37 games in the 1980/81 season and Nixon would lead the team with 821 assists for an 8.8 average. This would be the only season in the 80's that Magic do not lead the Lakers in this category.
Norm Nixon passed for a then career-high 18 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers 124-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Magic Johnson is better known as the Lakers playmaker but Johnson only played 37 games in the 1980/81 season and Nixon would lead the team with 821 assists for an 8.8 average. This would be the only season in the 80's that Magic do not lead the Lakers in this category.
1982
Kermit Washington retires as a Portland Trail Blazers Washington played 9 seasons in the NBA and 3 in Portland. He also played with the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and the San Diego Clippers before coming to Portland as compensation when the Clippers signed Bill Walton. He averaged 13.9 pts and 11.4 rebs for Portland and 13.1 pts and 11.9 rebounds for his career. He is one of only 7 college players to average over 20 points and rebounds with 20.1 points and 20.2 rebounds with American University.
After a year in San Diego, Washington was traded again. Levin decided to acquire Portland center Bill Walton even though Walton had missed the entire 1978–79 season due to broken bones in his foot. Since the Blazers and Clippers could not agree on compensation, the commissioner's office made the final decision, sending Washington, Kunnert, and Randy Smith to Portland in exchange for Walton. This became the second time Washington and Kunnert were part of the same trade. Portland had strongly desired Washington, and their general manager Stu Inman, was a close friend of Pete Newell's. Inman had worked hard through Newell to let Washington know that they intended this to be the last time he was traded, which Washington desired since the media coverage and re-locations had been hard on Pat and the children. To his great relief, the city of Portland welcomed Washington with open arms.
During the same off-season, Tomjanovich and the Rockets' civil suit vs. the Lakers occurred. Houston's side argued that Los Angeles had failed to control Washington. During the trial, numerous players and coaches who were at the game testified. Kunnert testified during the trial and contradicted Washington's testimony, angrily branding him a liar. While the two were playing for San Diego their wives became close friends, but their relationship only worsened over time; Washington believed the NBA was keeping Kunnert on the team to prevent him from suing him. Jack Ramsay, Portland's coach, however, said that he chose Kunnert over San Diego center Swen Nater when his team was asked by the league to submit a list of players they considered fair compensation for Walton.
Washington shared time at the Trail Blazers power forward spot with Maurice Lucas at first, but after Lucas' trade to the New Jersey Nets, he became the full-time starter. He played three seasons in Portland, during which he earned a spot in the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, after some of the top players sat out due to injury. During that All-Star weekend, which was held in Landover, Maryland, nearby American U. held a halftime ceremony in which they retired Washington's number. He was named a team captain for the following season. In his post-punch career, numerous players, coaches, and officials noted that he became less aggressive on the court out of fear of getting into another fight; something he never did. Washington started experiencing pain in his back and knees during the 1980–81 season. The pain became unbearable during the 1981–82 season, and he retired in January 1982 after missing all but 20 games.
During the same off-season, Tomjanovich and the Rockets' civil suit vs. the Lakers occurred. Houston's side argued that Los Angeles had failed to control Washington. During the trial, numerous players and coaches who were at the game testified. Kunnert testified during the trial and contradicted Washington's testimony, angrily branding him a liar. While the two were playing for San Diego their wives became close friends, but their relationship only worsened over time; Washington believed the NBA was keeping Kunnert on the team to prevent him from suing him. Jack Ramsay, Portland's coach, however, said that he chose Kunnert over San Diego center Swen Nater when his team was asked by the league to submit a list of players they considered fair compensation for Walton.
Washington shared time at the Trail Blazers power forward spot with Maurice Lucas at first, but after Lucas' trade to the New Jersey Nets, he became the full-time starter. He played three seasons in Portland, during which he earned a spot in the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, after some of the top players sat out due to injury. During that All-Star weekend, which was held in Landover, Maryland, nearby American U. held a halftime ceremony in which they retired Washington's number. He was named a team captain for the following season. In his post-punch career, numerous players, coaches, and officials noted that he became less aggressive on the court out of fear of getting into another fight; something he never did. Washington started experiencing pain in his back and knees during the 1980–81 season. The pain became unbearable during the 1981–82 season, and he retired in January 1982 after missing all but 20 games.
1987
Terry Porter passes for 16 assists but the Portland Trail Blazers fall 145-141 in an overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets. Fat Lever, the former Blazer, records his 8th triple-double of the 1986/87 season. He would finish his career with 43 total, which now ranks 9th as James Hardin of the Houston Rockets recently passed him. |
2013
@nicolas88batum records his 2nd triple-double in the 3 games with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 101-100 victory against the @LAClippers Just 5 days previous, Batum had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists vs the Washington Wizards
@nicolas88batum records his 2nd triple-double in the 3 games with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in the Portland Trail Blazers 101-100 victory against the @LAClippers Just 5 days previous, Batum had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists vs the Washington Wizards
2019
@CJMcCollum records his first triple-double in the @trailblazers 120-111 victory over the @ATLHawks
Highlights of CJ McCollum's first triple-double https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYLTwcOvNrM
@CJMcCollum records his first triple-double in the @trailblazers 120-111 victory over the @ATLHawks
Highlights of CJ McCollum's first triple-double https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYLTwcOvNrM
2020
Over the last three games, Damian Lillard has found a new gear. The 29-year-old guard scored a team-leading 50 points to go along with 13 assists and six rebounds Sunday to lead the Blazers to an important 139-129 win over the Pacers at the Moda Center. It is the third time this season that Lillard has scored 50 or more points in a game and the third consecutive game that he has recorded over 40 points.
He is the first player in Blazers’ history to score 50-plus points three times in a season and record 40-plus points in three consecutive games. Lillard has scored 158 points over the last three games, which ranks seventh in NBA history for the most points in a three-game stretch since the National Basketball Association merged with the American Basketball Association. Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, whose sudden death sent shock waves through the NBA Sunday, holds the top-two spots on the list, with 175 points over a three-game stretch in March 2007 and 169 points over a three-game stretch in January 2006.
Damian Lillard scored 50 points for the 8th time in his career in the Portland Trail Blazers 139-129 victory over the Indiana Pacers Lillard went 14 of 23 from the floor, including 8 of 12 from 3-point range, and added 13 assists, six rebounds and a steal in the win. He also made 14 of his 16 free throws. Besides being the 3rd straight game over 40 points, a franchise record, he became the 1st player in Blazers history to score at least 50 points in a game three times in a season. Lillard accomplished the feat twice last season, joining Geoff Petrie who did so twice before in 1973.
For his play, Damian Lillard was named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the week ending January 26. Lillard averaged 52.7 points (53.4% FG, 57.4% 3-PT, 94.9% FT), 7.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists while guiding the Trail Blazers to a 2-1 record over the past week.
For the season, Lillard is averaging 28.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists. He ranks fifth in the league in scoring average, and sixth in assists per game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSWWaRLtWRA
Over the last three games, Damian Lillard has found a new gear. The 29-year-old guard scored a team-leading 50 points to go along with 13 assists and six rebounds Sunday to lead the Blazers to an important 139-129 win over the Pacers at the Moda Center. It is the third time this season that Lillard has scored 50 or more points in a game and the third consecutive game that he has recorded over 40 points.
He is the first player in Blazers’ history to score 50-plus points three times in a season and record 40-plus points in three consecutive games. Lillard has scored 158 points over the last three games, which ranks seventh in NBA history for the most points in a three-game stretch since the National Basketball Association merged with the American Basketball Association. Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, whose sudden death sent shock waves through the NBA Sunday, holds the top-two spots on the list, with 175 points over a three-game stretch in March 2007 and 169 points over a three-game stretch in January 2006.
Damian Lillard scored 50 points for the 8th time in his career in the Portland Trail Blazers 139-129 victory over the Indiana Pacers Lillard went 14 of 23 from the floor, including 8 of 12 from 3-point range, and added 13 assists, six rebounds and a steal in the win. He also made 14 of his 16 free throws. Besides being the 3rd straight game over 40 points, a franchise record, he became the 1st player in Blazers history to score at least 50 points in a game three times in a season. Lillard accomplished the feat twice last season, joining Geoff Petrie who did so twice before in 1973.
For his play, Damian Lillard was named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the week ending January 26. Lillard averaged 52.7 points (53.4% FG, 57.4% 3-PT, 94.9% FT), 7.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists while guiding the Trail Blazers to a 2-1 record over the past week.
For the season, Lillard is averaging 28.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists. He ranks fifth in the league in scoring average, and sixth in assists per game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSWWaRLtWRA
Damian Lillards last 7 games include ... Jan 13 vs Charlotte — 30 Points, 9 Assists, 3 Rebounds Jan 15 at Houston — 25 Points, 7 Assists, 7 Rebounds Jan 17 at Dallas — 34 Points, 10 Assists, 1 Rebound Jan 18 at OK City — 34 Points, 6 Assists, 0 Rebounds Jan 20 vs Golden State — 61 Points, 7 Assists, 10 Rebounds Jan 23 vs Dallas — 47 Points, 8 Assists, 6 Rebounds Jan 26 vs Indiana — 50 Points, 13 Assists, 6 Rebounds |
January 27
1971
CLEVELAND - The Cavaliers, a fellow expansion team, punctuated the Blazers 14 day, seven game road trip with a dominate 118-104 victory over Portland. It was the Cavaliers ninth win of the season and their second straight victory, the second time they have done that. Walt Wesley led the Cavaliers with 23 points but McCoy McLemore recorded his only triple-double of his career with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. McLemore would be traded in four days to the Milwaukee Bucks, moving from the worst team in the NBA to the team that would win the 1970/71 NBA Championship. The Cavaliers were the fifth team in his 6-year career but McLemore would play one more season before being dropped by the Houston Rockets in 1972 after playing 17 games. |
1976
@BillWalton scored 18 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in the @trailblazers 118-105 victory over the #WashingtonBullets.
@BillWalton scored 18 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in the @trailblazers 118-105 victory over the #WashingtonBullets.
2007
@MacBo50 scored what was his career-high 42 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 135-132 double overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This was Randolph's 1st game over 40 points in his 6 year career with Portland. He would eventually best this mark and get 43 points and 17 rebounds in what would turn out to be his final game as a Blazers. In his six seasons with Portland, he averaged 16.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Randolph was traded to the New York Knicks after the season and played 80 games in a season plus before finishing his 8th season with the L.A. Clippers. In 2009 he joined the Grizzlies where his greatest successes occurred. He played 8 years in Memphis and twice made the All-Star team while leading the Grizzlies to a playoff berth in 7 consecutive years (2011-2017). When he left Memphis after the 2017 season, Randolph was the teams leading scorer with 9,261 (which now is 3rd most) the leading rebounder with 5,612 (now 2nd) and games played with 551 (now 3rd) among other categories.
He finished his 17 year NBA career ranked in 69th place overall with 18,578 points for a 16.6 average. He is also ranked 42nd overall with 10,208 rebounds with a 9.1 average in rebounds.
@MacBo50 scored what was his career-high 42 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 135-132 double overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. This was Randolph's 1st game over 40 points in his 6 year career with Portland. He would eventually best this mark and get 43 points and 17 rebounds in what would turn out to be his final game as a Blazers. In his six seasons with Portland, he averaged 16.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Randolph was traded to the New York Knicks after the season and played 80 games in a season plus before finishing his 8th season with the L.A. Clippers. In 2009 he joined the Grizzlies where his greatest successes occurred. He played 8 years in Memphis and twice made the All-Star team while leading the Grizzlies to a playoff berth in 7 consecutive years (2011-2017). When he left Memphis after the 2017 season, Randolph was the teams leading scorer with 9,261 (which now is 3rd most) the leading rebounder with 5,612 (now 2nd) and games played with 551 (now 3rd) among other categories.
He finished his 17 year NBA career ranked in 69th place overall with 18,578 points for a 16.6 average. He is also ranked 42nd overall with 10,208 rebounds with a 9.1 average in rebounds.
January 28
1970
1972
Sidney Wicks grabbed a career-high 25 rebounds and scored 25 points but it wasn't enough in the Portland Trail Blazers 105-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Clyde Lee of the Warriors battled Wicks on the boards and grabbed 20 rebounds but only added 2 points. Lee was drafted by San Francisco in 1966 and spent 8 years with the Warriors before having to go to the Atlanta Hawks in 1974 due to a trade that was actually done in 1970. On February 2, 1970, the Warriors sent their 1970 1st round draft pick and a player to be named later to the Atlanta Hawks for Zelmo Beaty. The Hawks used the pick to select Pete Maravich. |
Eventually, someone in the Atlanta front offices realized that the "player to be named later" never had come so the Hawks approached the Warriors. On October 4, 1974, Lee was traded by the Warriors to the Atlanta, closing that trade that had been made 4 years and 8 months previous.
Lee played nine games with Atlanta before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Tom Van Arsdale. Lee finished his career in Philadelphia, retiring in 1976. In 10 NBA seasons Lee scored 5,733 points (7.7 avg) with 7,626 (10.3 avg.) rebounds in 742 games.
Lee played nine games with Atlanta before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Tom Van Arsdale. Lee finished his career in Philadelphia, retiring in 1976. In 10 NBA seasons Lee scored 5,733 points (7.7 avg) with 7,626 (10.3 avg.) rebounds in 742 games.
1975
Bill Walton records his 1st triple-double of his career in the Blazers 115-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Walton finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds and a then career-high 11 assists. In three days, Walton nearly had another triple with when he set his actual career-high with 14 assists and had 15 rebounds but ended with 9 points. Jack Nicholson took a break from filming "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" to attend the game. |
2015
Even without LeBron James, the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games on Wednesday thanks to a 55-point effort from Kyrie Irving in a 99-94 victory over the Blazers. Irving's point total marked a career-high, eclipsing his previous high of 44 points against Charlotte on April 5, 2014. Irving's final line: 55 points (on 17-for-36 shooting, 11-for-19 three-point shooting and 10-for-10 free-throw shooting), five assists, four rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes. The 11 three-pointers shattered Irving's previous career-high of six threes.
Even without LeBron James, the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games on Wednesday thanks to a 55-point effort from Kyrie Irving in a 99-94 victory over the Blazers. Irving's point total marked a career-high, eclipsing his previous high of 44 points against Charlotte on April 5, 2014. Irving's final line: 55 points (on 17-for-36 shooting, 11-for-19 three-point shooting and 10-for-10 free-throw shooting), five assists, four rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes. The 11 three-pointers shattered Irving's previous career-high of six threes.
January 29
1972
From The Sporting News
From The Sporting News
January 30
1972
Wilt Chamberlain and the Los Angeles Lakers again dominated the Portland Trail Blazers with a 153-131 victory. Chamberlain needed just 12 rebounds to pass Bill Russell to become the NBA top rebounder. With 1:54 left in the first quarter he grabbed a missed shot and the game was halted to acknowledge the record. The crowd of 17,007 gave Chamberlain a 2-minute standing ovation while the Lakers gave Chamberlain the game ball and a backboard acknowledging him as the Rebound King. Chamberlain, who led the league in rebounds for 11 of his 13 years that he played, accomplished this feat in 31 less games than Russell, who also played 13 seasons. Chamberlain, currently in his 12th season in 1972, was the NBA's All-Time leader in points, scoring, field goals made and attempted, free throws attempted, and minutes played. He still ranks in the Top-10 of all these categories in the nearly 50 years since he retired. |
2010
Andre Miller scored a career-high 52 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 114-112 victory over Dallas Mavericks. Miller's previous high was 37, which he achieved twice before, once as a Cavalier and once as a Clipper.
Miller signed with Portland as a Free Agent in summer of 2009 and played 2 seasons with the Blazers. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.2 assists during that time. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets as part of a 3 team, 6 player deal
Miller played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. Currently, he ranks eleventh all-time in NBA career assists and only missed three games to injury in his 17-year career. He is the only player in NBA history to have at least 16,000 career points, 8,000 assists and 1,500 steals without making an NBA All-Star Game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzwYDbaya2E
Andre Miller scored a career-high 52 points in the Portland Trail Blazers 114-112 victory over Dallas Mavericks. Miller's previous high was 37, which he achieved twice before, once as a Cavalier and once as a Clipper.
Miller signed with Portland as a Free Agent in summer of 2009 and played 2 seasons with the Blazers. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.2 assists during that time. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets as part of a 3 team, 6 player deal
Miller played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. Currently, he ranks eleventh all-time in NBA career assists and only missed three games to injury in his 17-year career. He is the only player in NBA history to have at least 16,000 career points, 8,000 assists and 1,500 steals without making an NBA All-Star Game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzwYDbaya2E
2020
Damian Lillard laughed when asked about his first career triple-double. "It's about time," he said. Lillard recorded his first triple -double with 36 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Houston Rockets 125-112. It is Lillard's sixth straight game with 30 points or more, a franchise record. “It took eight years,” he said about his triple-double. “I think there’s been plenty of times where I could have just hunted it — I’ve been two rebounds or one assist away — but it’s just something I never wanted to go out there and just chase.” The crowd roared at the Moda Center and gave Lillard a standing ovation when he got his final rebound on an offensive tip with under a minute left.
CJ McCollum had 22 points and Trevor Ariza, playing in just his third game as a Blazer after a trade with Sacramento, matched his season high with 21. Portland led by as many as 20 points in the second half.
Damian Lillard laughed when asked about his first career triple-double. "It's about time," he said. Lillard recorded his first triple -double with 36 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Houston Rockets 125-112. It is Lillard's sixth straight game with 30 points or more, a franchise record. “It took eight years,” he said about his triple-double. “I think there’s been plenty of times where I could have just hunted it — I’ve been two rebounds or one assist away — but it’s just something I never wanted to go out there and just chase.” The crowd roared at the Moda Center and gave Lillard a standing ovation when he got his final rebound on an offensive tip with under a minute left.
CJ McCollum had 22 points and Trevor Ariza, playing in just his third game as a Blazer after a trade with Sacramento, matched his season high with 21. Portland led by as many as 20 points in the second half.
2023
Led by Damian Lillard's game-high 42 points, the Portland Trail Blazers outscored the Atlanta Hawks 129-125. It's Lillard's fifth 40-point game this month, the most such games in a calendar month in franchise history. Lillard made 10 of his 21 attempts from the field - including five 3-pointers and all 17 of his free throws. It's the 10th time Lillard has made at least 15 free throws in a game without a miss. The only other players in NBA history to record at least 10 such games are James Harden (14) and Oscar Robertson (11). |
Lillard dished out six assists and did not commit a turnover. He now has six career 40-point, 5-assist games with zero turnovers, the most such games
since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8d2b5eXik
since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8d2b5eXik
The Hawks' Dejounte Murray scored a career-high 40 points in the loss, adding eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. Murray shot 13-25 from the field including 5-8 from 3-point range - and made all nine of his free throws. Murray, like Lillard, did not commit a turnover. It's the first time since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78 that two players each
scored at least 40 points with zero turnovers in the same game. |
January 31
1971
The Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 133-120 with Wilt Chamberlain getting 33 points and 27 rebounds. His rebound total is 1 shy of the record by an opponent, set by Jerry Lucas. |
1975
The Seattle SuperSonics, led by John Brisker's 28 points off the bench, mounted a tremendous comeback in their 106-103 victory over the Blazers. Twice down by 24 points in the 3rd quarter, the Sonics outscored the Blazers 43-22 to get the win. It was the last great game by Brisker, a former ABA All-Star player who joined the Sonics in 1972
After the win, instead of celebrating, Brisker gritted his teeth and glared menacingly at his coach, Bill Russell. After one of the most dramatic wins in the Sonics’ young history, the tension in the locker room was so charged, Slick Watts remembers, the walls could have cracked. “I thought he was gonna kill him,” Watts says. “That (expletive), you could see water in his eyes. Intimidation. That (expletive) was ready to attack.”
It was not unusual for Brisker, a talented but volatile forward, to clash with Russell, the single-minded coach. By 1975, Brisker was firmly in Russell’s doghouse and played sparingly. In fact, the previous day, Brisker had grumbled to reporters, “They’ve done everything possible to demean me.” But the scene in the locker room was visceral.
After the game, years of tension nearly exploded in the Sonic locker room. Brisker sat inside the locker room at the old Coliseum and glared at coach Russell with the look teammates and opponents learned to fear. “All of us were scared,” Watts says, shaking his famously shiny head. “He wasn’t coming at us. He wanted Coach.” Brisker played eight more games that season. On Feb. 14, 1975, he scored seven points in 14 minutes during a lethargic loss in Portland. It was the last game he ever played.
The Seattle SuperSonics, led by John Brisker's 28 points off the bench, mounted a tremendous comeback in their 106-103 victory over the Blazers. Twice down by 24 points in the 3rd quarter, the Sonics outscored the Blazers 43-22 to get the win. It was the last great game by Brisker, a former ABA All-Star player who joined the Sonics in 1972
After the win, instead of celebrating, Brisker gritted his teeth and glared menacingly at his coach, Bill Russell. After one of the most dramatic wins in the Sonics’ young history, the tension in the locker room was so charged, Slick Watts remembers, the walls could have cracked. “I thought he was gonna kill him,” Watts says. “That (expletive), you could see water in his eyes. Intimidation. That (expletive) was ready to attack.”
It was not unusual for Brisker, a talented but volatile forward, to clash with Russell, the single-minded coach. By 1975, Brisker was firmly in Russell’s doghouse and played sparingly. In fact, the previous day, Brisker had grumbled to reporters, “They’ve done everything possible to demean me.” But the scene in the locker room was visceral.
After the game, years of tension nearly exploded in the Sonic locker room. Brisker sat inside the locker room at the old Coliseum and glared at coach Russell with the look teammates and opponents learned to fear. “All of us were scared,” Watts says, shaking his famously shiny head. “He wasn’t coming at us. He wanted Coach.” Brisker played eight more games that season. On Feb. 14, 1975, he scored seven points in 14 minutes during a lethargic loss in Portland. It was the last game he ever played.
By 1978, he had been out of the NBA for three years and faced new responsibilities. Brisker and his girlfriend had a daughter in February, and he sought stability after a string of failed ventures. In March, according to King County court documents, he traveled to Africa and intended to launch an “import-export business.” On April 11, he called his girlfriend in Seattle. That was the last anyone heard from John Brisker.
"He went to Uganda and it was as a mercenary and he was fighting over there,” says former teammate Tom Burleson. “His wife went with him, and he was captured by Idi Amin’s men. And Idi Amin had him prepared and they served him and his wife banquet style.” “They said he was sitting at a table with one of those kings over there, and they had an argument, and Brisker wouldn’t relate to the argument or agree with it,” Watts says. “In that country, you don’t dishonor the king. And Brisker had one of those grrrrr moments, and they said the guy had his gun covered up like a turkey was in it. He moved it and pew. Shot him. That’s the legend anyway.”
In truth no one knows what happened. The King County Medical Examiner officially declared Brisker dead in May 1985 for the purpose of settling his estate, but the State Department could not confirm that Brisker had even gone to Africa. James Callahan, a spokesman for the State Department in the ’80s, was quoted at the time as saying, “Essentially, we don’t consider him dead.” A spokesperson for the FBI’s Seattle office wrote in a recent email, “We cannot conclusively say if the FBI was involved or not.”
Brisker exists today as a memory, a lost talent who could’ve been a star, and as Seattle’s most puzzling sports mystery. “Often, in the quiet moments of my life, when I think about my teammates, I think about him,” Watts says. “I wonder, ‘Is John really dead?’”
"He went to Uganda and it was as a mercenary and he was fighting over there,” says former teammate Tom Burleson. “His wife went with him, and he was captured by Idi Amin’s men. And Idi Amin had him prepared and they served him and his wife banquet style.” “They said he was sitting at a table with one of those kings over there, and they had an argument, and Brisker wouldn’t relate to the argument or agree with it,” Watts says. “In that country, you don’t dishonor the king. And Brisker had one of those grrrrr moments, and they said the guy had his gun covered up like a turkey was in it. He moved it and pew. Shot him. That’s the legend anyway.”
In truth no one knows what happened. The King County Medical Examiner officially declared Brisker dead in May 1985 for the purpose of settling his estate, but the State Department could not confirm that Brisker had even gone to Africa. James Callahan, a spokesman for the State Department in the ’80s, was quoted at the time as saying, “Essentially, we don’t consider him dead.” A spokesperson for the FBI’s Seattle office wrote in a recent email, “We cannot conclusively say if the FBI was involved or not.”
Brisker exists today as a memory, a lost talent who could’ve been a star, and as Seattle’s most puzzling sports mystery. “Often, in the quiet moments of my life, when I think about my teammates, I think about him,” Watts says. “I wonder, ‘Is John really dead?’”
1978
At this point in the season, Portland had had two 7-game winning streaks, as well as a 6-game streak. The win against the Bucks was their fourth straight win in streak that would reach 7 games again before a loss. The All-Star game, which was played on February 5th, in Atlanta, featured as starters Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, and Lionel Hollins. By benefit of the best record in the Western Conference, Jack Ramsay is the coach of the team and is allowed to bring his staff so Assistant coach Jack McKinney and trainer Ron Culp.
The team would get to a record of 50-10 before injuries to Walton, Lucas, Lloyd Neal, and Bobby Gross would decimate the attempt at the best record in NBA history. |
2018
After all the records CJ McCollum set Wednesday, and after all the accolades showered upon him following his 50-point performance, what stood out for the Trail Blazers guard was who watched it. His 92-year-old great aunt, Aileene, was in attendance for her first game in Portland. “During the game, I was like, ‘She probably thinks this is a really good game to come to,’’ McCollum quipped after he became the seventh Trail Blazer to reach the 50-point milestone. There were about 20,000 others inside the Moda Center who thought the same thing, as McCollum’s performance led to a 124-108 victory over Chicago, the Blazers’ fourth in a row.
McCullom set a Blazers franchise record by scoring 28 points in the opening quarter and was the quickest to 50 points, breaking Damian Lillards record of 31 minutes on 2/19/16 when he scored 51 points. In 10 days time, he would tie McCullom when he scores 50 in 29 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLCCRk8_b70
After all the records CJ McCollum set Wednesday, and after all the accolades showered upon him following his 50-point performance, what stood out for the Trail Blazers guard was who watched it. His 92-year-old great aunt, Aileene, was in attendance for her first game in Portland. “During the game, I was like, ‘She probably thinks this is a really good game to come to,’’ McCollum quipped after he became the seventh Trail Blazer to reach the 50-point milestone. There were about 20,000 others inside the Moda Center who thought the same thing, as McCollum’s performance led to a 124-108 victory over Chicago, the Blazers’ fourth in a row.
McCullom set a Blazers franchise record by scoring 28 points in the opening quarter and was the quickest to 50 points, breaking Damian Lillards record of 31 minutes on 2/19/16 when he scored 51 points. In 10 days time, he would tie McCullom when he scores 50 in 29 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLCCRk8_b70
2020
On a ceremonial night honoring Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven others involved in a fatal helicopter crash, Damian Lillard drops 48 points on the Los Angeles Lakers to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a victory.
On a ceremonial night honoring Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven others involved in a fatal helicopter crash, Damian Lillard drops 48 points on the Los Angeles Lakers to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a victory.