Trail Blazers Stun Nuggets with Late Rally in NBA Cup Thriller
What a night it was in Portland! The Trail Blazers pulled off one of their most dramatic comebacks of the season, edging out the Denver Nuggets 109–107 in a thrilling NBA Cup matchup that went down to the wire. In a game where Portland led for less than two minutes total, resilience and clutch execution became the story of the night.
Denver, led as usual by Nikola Jokic, appeared to have control for most of the game. Jokic, who was on the verge of making NBA history with what could’ve been his fifth straight triple-double to start the season, was held just short — finishing with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. His effort was strong, but Portland refused to let him script another record-setting night.
With less than a minute left on the clock, the Blazers trailed by five. That’s when things turned around. Deni Avdija, who has been steadily emerging as a key contributor, nailed a huge three-point play. Toumani Camara stepped up defensively, making two critical stops, and Jerami Grant sealed the deal with four clutch free throws, including two with just three seconds remaining. Those free throws came after Camara forced a jump ball with Jokic — a defensive stand that completely shifted the momentum.
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When the Nuggets got another chance, Jokic tried to rescue the game with a long-range jumper at the buzzer. The ball kissed the rim twice before bouncing out, leaving the Blazers celebrating a stunning win.
It was Portland’s first outing in this year’s NBA Cup — the league’s third in-season tournament — and the victory gave them an early edge in what’s shaping up to be a tough West Group C featuring Houston, San Antonio, and Golden State.
Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 23 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 19, and Jrue Holiday chipped in with 11 points and 13 assists despite struggling from the field. But one of the night’s most heartwarming moments came from Robert Williams III, who made his long-awaited season debut after battling injuries. Playing just over 11 minutes, Williams brought energy and rim protection, even throwing down a thunderous alley-oop dunk that sent Moda Center into a frenzy.
Despite early struggles — scoring just 18 points in both the first and third quarters — Portland stayed patient and made the right plays when it mattered most. Their late-game defense, poise under pressure, and composure at the free throw line were the difference-makers.
The Blazers now improve to 4–2, while the Nuggets fall to 3–2. Portland’s next challenge comes against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, where they’ll look to keep this momentum rolling. For fans in Rip City, this was more than just a win — it was a statement that this young team is learning how to close out games, even against the NBA’s toughest competition.
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