Avdija, Clingan, and Trail Blazers Stun Warriors in Thrilling Upset 127-123
In a night that was supposed to be a nostalgic celebration for the Golden State Warriors, the young and hungry Portland Trail Blazers crashed the party. In front of a stunned crowd of 18,064 at the Chase Center, Portland delivered a gut-punch, 127-123 victory, spoiling the Warriors’ 50th-anniversary celebration of their 1975 championship. This wasn’t just a loss for Golden State; it was a statement from a Trail Blazers team that refuses to be an afterthought.
The final buzzer felt like a thunderclap, silencing a building that had been electric just moments before. Stephen Curry, ever the magician, had done his part, pouring in 38 points and hitting nine three-pointers, each one a dagger that seemed to keep his team’s hopes alive. But on this night, magic wasn’t enough. The cold, hard reality was a trio of Trail Blazers—Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, and Caleb Love—who played with a fire that Golden State simply couldn’t extinguish.
Blazers’ Young Guns Outshine a Legend
While Curry was putting on a vintage performance, it was Portland’s youth that truly stole the show. Deni Avdija was the maestro, conducting the offense with a poise that defied his years. He wasn’t just scoring; he was creating, dissecting the Warriors’ defense with surgical precision. When the game was on the line, it was Avdija at the free-throw line with 9.8 seconds left, coolly sinking two shots to seal the deal.
Then there was the sophomore, Donovan Clingan, who played like a man possessed. The big man was a force in the paint, erupting for a career-high 22 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. He and Toumani Camara set the tone early, combining for 16 points in the first quarter and letting the Warriors know this would be a 48-minute fight. Caleb Love matched Avdija’s scoring output with 26 points of his own, providing a consistent offensive spark that never let the pressure off Golden State.
“It was a team victory,” a beaming Caleb Love said afterward, sweat still dripping from his brow. He was right. This wasn’t a one-man show. It was a collective, relentless effort from a team that played with a chip on its shoulder.
A Game of Fierce Momentum Swings
The Trail Blazers stormed out of the gates, but the Warriors, led by Curry’s brilliance, roared back with a massive 44-point second quarter. It looked like the veteran squad had finally woken up and would impose its will.
But Portland didn’t flinch. They weathered the storm and came out in the second half with renewed resolve. They controlled the entire fourth quarter, answering every Warriors’ push with one of their own. The most pivotal moment came with just over four minutes remaining. Golden State, trailing by four, was desperately trying to claw back when Jimmy Butler was whistled for a costly offensive foul while battling for a rebound. The air went out of the building, and the Warriors’ best chance to seize the lead slipped through their fingers.
What This Upset Means for Both Teams
For the Trail Blazers, this victory is more than just a notch in the win column. It’s a sign of what could be. Beating the Warriors on their home court for the first time since January 1, 2021, is a massive confidence booster for a young roster trying to forge its own identity. At 2-1 in NBA Cup play, they’ve positioned themselves as a legitimate threat.
For the Warriors, this is a harsh wake-up call. Now sitting at 1-2 in the Cup and riding a three-game losing streak, the cracks are beginning to show. Even with Curry‘s heroics and solid 20-point contributions from both Butler and Brandin Podziemski, they were out-hustled and out-rebounded 62-38. The celebratory mood of the pre-game ceremony, honoring legends like Rick Barry, dissolved into a frustrating night that raised more questions than answers.
As the Warriors head home to face the Jazz on Monday, they’ll have to do some serious soul-searching. The Trail Blazers, on the other hand, will travel to Oklahoma City with their heads held high, ready to prove that this stunning upset was no fluke. It was the night they stepped into the lion’s den and walked out as kings.
