Holiday and Clingan Power Blazers Past a Reeling Jazz Squad 135-119
It was already a disastrous Thursday for the Utah Jazz long before the opening tip-off. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Portland Blazers had simply added insult to a very expensive, painful injury.
Behind a season-high 31 points from veteran Jrue Holiday and a massive double-double from Donovan Clingan, the Blazers rolled into the Delta Center and handed Utah a 135-119 loss. For Portland, it was a clinic in capitalizing on a chaotic situation. For the Jazz, it was the capstone to a day defined by a $500,000 NBA fine and the crushing news that star acquisition Jaren Jackson Jr. is headed for knee surgery.
Blazers Take Advantage of Utah’s Bad Day
You could almost feel the air let out of the building before the game even started. Earlier in the day, the league slapped the Jazz with a hefty half-million-dollar fine for sitting healthy players in previous fourth quarters—specifically, Lauri Markkanen and Jackson. To make matters worse, the team announced that Jackson, who had looked fantastic in his first week with the team, had a growth in his knee requiring surgery.
The Blazers didn’t offer any sympathy. They saw a wounded opponent and executed a game plan designed to break them down. While the first half was a back-and-forth affair—Utah actually led 63-61 at the break—Portland came out of the locker room with a different energy. They realized the Jazz were emotionally drained and physically shorthanded, and they stepped on the gas.
Clingan and Holiday: A Veteran and a Giant
The young center posted a career night, racking up 23 points and tearing down 18 rebounds. But it wasn’t just about cleaning the glass; Clingan showed off his playmaking evolution with a career-high seven assists. He was the anchor the Blazers needed, adding three blocks to ensure nothing came easy for Utah in the lane.
Midway through the third quarter, Clingan personally sparked a 10-0 run that effectively flipped the game. He dominated on both ends, scoring inside and then protecting the rim, pushing Portland to a 75-65 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
While Clingan controlled the interior, Jrue Holiday controlled the tempo. The veteran guard looked spry, pouring in 31 points and steering the ship with nine rebounds and seven assists of his own. Whenever the Jazz tried to claw back into it, Holiday had an answer, usually in the form of a timely bucket or a calming play setup. Jerami Grant chipped in with 18 points, and Scoot Henderson, playing in just his fourth game of the season, added 15 points, giving Blazers fans a glimpse of their backcourt depth.
The Third Quarter Avalanche
The game was won and lost in the third frame. After trailing at halftime, the Blazers outscored Utah 40-23 in the third quarter. It was an avalanche of offense that the depleted Jazz roster just couldn’t keep up with.
Portland’s defense tightened up, forcing misses and fueling their transition game. The Jazz, missing Markkanen (rest), Keyonte George (ankle), and obviously Jackson, were relying on a patchwork lineup of young talent. While they fought hard, the talent gap became obvious once the Blazers locked in.
Things got even messier for Utah when Vince Williams Jr., who had come over in the trade with Jackson, lost his cool. He picked up two technical fouls with just under nine minutes left in the second quarter and was ejected. It was just that kind of night for the home team.
Bright Spots for the Opposition
Despite the loss, the Jazz got a look at their youth movement. Brice Sensabaugh was a flamethrower, dropping 28 points and keeping the offense afloat when things looked bleak. Rookies Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, and Isaiah Collier all hit the 15-point mark, showing that while the present is messy in Salt Lake City, the future has some pieces to work with.
Blake Hinson, making his NBA debut, even provided a brief spark, hitting a three to pull Utah within three points late in the game. But the Blazers responded immediately with an 11-2 run, slamming the door shut on any comeback hopes.
What’s Next for the Blazers?
With this win, Portland improves to 27-29, securing its fourth victory in its last five outings. They are finding a rhythm at the right time, balancing veteran leadership from guys like Holiday with the explosive potential of their younger core.
The Blazers will look to keep the momentum rolling when they head home to host the Denver Nuggets this Friday. If Clingan continues to play like a monster in the middle and Holiday keeps turning back the clock, Portland is going to be a tough out for anyone down the stretch.
