NEW YORK — Shaedon Sharpe delivered an impressive 25-point performance, while Dalano Banton came alive with 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Portland Trail Blazers to a decisive 121-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets Friday night.
Contributing to Portland’s offensive showcase, Toumani Camara added 19 points, Anfernee Simons contributed with 14, and Donovan Clingan capped off the effort with 12 points. The victory marks the Trail Blazers’ fourth consecutive win, solidifying their strength during this successful streak.
Returning from a significant hiatus due to a left hamstring injury, Cam Thomas made a noticeable impact by scoring 16 points in just 21 minutes for the Nets. His absence spanned 24 games, making his return noteworthy despite the team’s struggles.
The Nets saw Nic Claxton and Killian Hayes each adding 16 points to their tally, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a three-game losing streak. The game started with Portland leading by 21 points in the early third quarter stages, though the Nets managed to narrow it to a nine-point deficit by the start of the last period.
A pivotal moment came when Thomas connected with Claxton for an alley-oop dunk, bringing them closer at 96-84 with just over ten minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, the Trail Blazers responded promptly with a game-securing 13-4 run, highlighted by Banton’s seven consecutive points.
**Takeaways**
The Trail Blazers showcased their depth, with seven players scoring in double digits, including Scoot Henderson, who added 12 points from the bench. Meanwhile, Jabari Walker finished the game with five points, not quite reaching the mark.
As for the Nets, coach Jordi Fernandez cautiously approached Thomas’ minutes on his return after a long recovery since January. Fernandez expressed eagerness, saying the goal was to push Thomas within the limits allowed by his current physical readiness.
**Key Moments**
Playing their third matchup in a seven-game road trip, the Trail Blazers dominated early, taking a 33-25 lead at the end of the first quarter and maintaining momentum through Sharpe’s untouchable shooting, who scored 14 points without missing a shot.
**Key Stat**
Although Portland was outrebounded, losing that battle 45-36, their coordinated playmaking shone through with a 32-assist effort compared to Brooklyn’s 20.
**Up Next**
The Brooklyn Nets look to bounce back as they face off against Detroit on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers will aim to extend their streak when they continue their road journey at Cleveland on Sunday.
