/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72827710/1762628843.0.jpg)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe did it again versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
A primary catalyst of Portland’s three-game winning streak, Sharpe put up 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including some clutch buckets late, in the Blazers’ 115-113 overtime win. However, the play of the game from the rising star came on the defensive end.
With the score tied at 102-102 in the closing seconds of regulation, Memphis 3-point specialist Luke Kennard found himself open in the corner for the game-winning shot. That is until Sharpe covered ground and soared through the air to block Kennard’s attempt into the stands.
SHAEDON MF (MY FRIEND) SHARPE pic.twitter.com/Ga4FLHduel
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 4, 2023
Take one more look from a different angle:
ANOTHER angle, why not pic.twitter.com/AQEMtHhSmh
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 4, 2023
Memphis got the ball to a great option for the potential game-winner. Kennard is a career-43.4% 3-point shooter. And Sharpe started the sequence facing the opposite direction. The 20-year-old still closed with enough speed and athleticism to never give Kennard a chance.
The game-saving block forced overtime, which saw the Blazers pull away for the victory, thanks in large part to clutch 3-pointers from Sharpe and Jerami Grant.
When Sharpe wrapped up the game with two free throws in the closing minute, the Moda Center crowd met the second-year pro with light “MVP” chants.
The win drops Memphis to 0-6 on the season, while sending the Blazers to 3-3. It also puts Portland at 1-0 so far in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
Loading comments...