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This will be a shorter-than-normal analysis of Monday night’s game between the Blazers and the Nets, which Portland won 148-144 in double overtime. Because, in just one instant, the game no longer mattered.
In the second overtime, disaster struck. Jusuf Nurkic was in the late stages of a truly special 32 point, 16 rebound, 5 assist, 4 block game when he fell to the court with 2 minutes to play. Everyone on the court immediately knew he was done. We are still waiting on word on the extent of the injury, but it clearly did not look good. He stopped moving, a towel was placed over his head, and his leg was immobilized before he was placed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.
Here’s to hoping the best for him. The life of the game was sucked out when he left, but the Blazers still managed to pull off the victory.
Analysis
It was an entertaining game for the most part, but the Nurkic injury is all that really matters. The specifics of tonight’s game won’t be our focus tonight. Portland pulled out the win and we’ll move on.
Thoughts out to our Bosnian Beast.
The Fellas
The big guys, Zach Collins, Nurkic, and Enes Kanter — They combined for 56 points and 30 rebounds while shooting 21/39 and 4/7 from three-point land in 70 minutes. This was a far better stat before Nurk got hurt.
Rodney Hood and Seth Curry – CJ McCollum will be missed as long as he is out, but Hood and Curry filled his shoes as well as could be expected. The two combined for 38 points in a great effort in the win.
Ed Davis – Portland’s favorite non-Blazer looked good back in the Moda Center. Solid game from Ed with 14 boards and earning his 6 fouls.
Shabazz Napier and Allan Crabbe – Didn’t play (Crabbe held out for injury reasons), but a shout out to both of them anyways
Blazer’s Edge Kids Night
Prior to Nurkic’s devastating injury, this game was intended to be a celebration of the work of our community. I’d feel remiss if I didn’t say something about it, despite tonight’s events. What Blazer’s Edge does, sending 2200 kids to watch the Blazers play once a year, is an incredible feat and the entire Blazer’s Edge community deserves credit for helping pull it off.
A huge “thank you” to everyone that did their part, and just another day that we all are reminded how lucky we are to be a part of something as special as BE.
Up Next – The Blazers head to Chicago to play the Bulls on Wednesday the 27th.