The mood surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers has notably shifted from somber expressions following losses to an atmosphere filled with celebration, as the team enjoys an impressive run of victories.
Currently, the Blazers have achieved a winning streak of six games and triumphed in 10 out of their last 11 matches, prompting some early speculation about the possibility of making a playoff appearance.
Although thoughts of the playoffs might be a bit hasty, the team is certainly enjoying their recent success.
Starting the season with a focus on rebuilding, the young roster has now achieved a record of 23 wins and 29 losses, surpassing their total from the previous season, which was just 21 victories.
While the Blazers sit 13th in the Western Conference standings, they are inching closer to contention for one of the play-in tournament spots with 30 games left in the season.
“It’s really enjoyable, not just because of the wins and losses, but also due to our style of play,” commented guard Scoot Henderson.
“The way we are working together is truly fun.”
Presently, the Blazers trail the eighth-place Dallas Mavericks by four games amidst a tight race involving teams like the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs.
The Blazers secured their latest victory on Thursday night in front of their home fans against Sacramento, led by Anfernee Simons, who scored 30 points and made eight three-pointers, helping the team to a 108-102 win while displaying cohesion during the final quarter.
Increased intensity and concentration during critical moments of the game is a new chapter for the Portland team, who has also seen an improvement in their defense, which ranks among the best in the league over their past 11 contests.
“We understand that this is essential for us to compete against all these teams,” said coach Chauncey Billups.
“We need to be flying around.”
The last time Portland managed to string together a wins streak of this length was during the 2017-18 season, where they accomplished a remarkable 13-game winning streak.
Following the 2023-24 season, superstar Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Blazers to fully commit to a roster rebuild focusing on young talent such as Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
To bolster their lineup, Portland made several strategic acquisitions, including Deni Avdija and first-round draft choice Donovan Clingan, alongside established veterans like Jerami Grant and DeAndre Ayton.
Now in his third year with the franchise, coach Billups is focused on developing the youth while emphasizing teamwork on the court.
“We have a multitude of players contributing positively,” Billups expressed.
“Players have stopped obsessing over individual accolades and are embracing the collective success—it’s about who’s executing the game plan.”
A pivotal moment occurred during a team meeting in late December, where accountability was addressed directly.
“Coach asked each of us if we could hold each other accountable, and we all affirmed,” Henderson recounted.
“Since then, we’ve truly bonded, are sharing the ball well, and are playing effectively as a team.”
Though there’s still plenty of the season ahead and it’s uncertain whether Portland’s current surge can be maintained, optimistic hopes are building that the team could break a three-year playoff absence.
Last season, Portland crumbled towards the end, losing 15 of their last 17 games and ultimately entering the NBA draft lottery.
General manager Joe Cronin did not make any player transactions at the trade deadline but indicated that the current winning streak did not influence his decisions.
He emphasized that no potential trades aligned with the long-term vision for the team.
When asked if it would be reasonable to set playoff goals for the squad, Cronin noted, “It would be unfair to take that opportunity away from them.”
“I’m incredibly proud and thrilled with this group; the possibilities are boundless. Let’s encourage the guys to push forward and see what they can achieve.”
