All articles tagged with #portland trail blazers
Portland Trail Blazers laid off more than 70 employees in a restructuring tied to the team’s recent ownership change under Tom Dundon, with longtime beat reporter Casey Holdahl among those let go; the team says the moves are intended to position the organization for long-term success and to support affected staff.
The Portland Trail Blazers announced immediate layoffs on the business side as the organization undergoes an ownership transition from the Paul Allen estate to a Tom Dundon‑led group, with Digital Reporter Casey Holdahl among those affected; leadership says the restructuring is to position the franchise for the future and support those impacted.
Blazer’s Edge says it will grow coverage of the Portland Fire with staff recaps and game-day threads, inviting reader support to build a broader Blazers/Fire hub. The post acknowledges the demanding workload and suggests community contributions could help, possibly leading to a dedicated Fire section if interest grows. It also explains its respectful approach to tragedy reporting, using Brandon Clarke’s passing as an example: share minimal, factual updates and treat players as real people with empathy, updating when new information becomes available.
The piece analyzes the growing Giannis Antetokounmpo trade buzz, focusing on a hypothetical deal that would send him from Milwaukee to Portland in exchange for Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Yang Hansen, and a bundle of Bucks draft picks, while noting his age, hefty 58.5M salary next season, and Milwaukee’s draft-capital constraints, and inviting reader opinions on the desirability of such a move.
Milwaukee is actively shopping Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the June NBA Draft, with ownership seeking a settled future whether via extension or a trade; a strong market is expected and Portland could facilitate thanks to Bucks’ draft capital, but Giannis’s personal preferences and contract leverage will largely drive any deal.
Portland GM Joe Cronin defended owner Tom Dundon against cheapness criticism, saying Dundon is willing to spend big when it matters and noting the team discussed costly moves at the trade deadline, including potentially triggering the luxury tax. Cronin stressed that reports of a tight head-coach budget are misleading and that compensation will scale with the coach’s experience and risk. Tiago Splitter called the surrounding chatter exaggerated. Cronin admitted a miscommunication led to excluding two-way players from playoff road trips, later correcting by adding them for Game 5, and the Blazers plan a broad, flexible coaching search with a focus on efficiency and prudent spending.
NBA is weighing a sweeping Draft Lottery overhaul that would include 16 teams, draw all 16 positions, and tilt odds toward middle and lower teams, giving fringe playoff groups more paths up and creating more volatility for top and bottom teams. For Portland, the impact hinges on its own future picks (2027 onward) and Milwaukee Bucks swaps: if Portland stays in the Play‑In/low playoff zone, the new system could boost their chances of moving up; if Milwaukee’s assets fall into the lottery, those picks could lose some guaranteed value. In short, the proposal could be a windfall for mid‑tier teams and a strategic crossroads for the Blazers, depending on how the Bucks’ picks land.
San Antonio closed out Portland in a dominant playoff performance, with six players in double digits, a defense anchored by Victor Wembanyama (six blocks), and clutch scoring from Julian Champagnie and De’Aaron Fox. The Spurs’ depth and improved post‑All‑Star break form underscore their momentum, sending a clear message to OKC, Denver and Minnesota that experience won’t shield contenders from their late‑season surge.
Down 58-41 at halftime, the Spurs rode De'Aaron Fox’s 28-point, 7-rebound, 6-assist second-half surge to a 114-93 win and a 3-1 series lead over Portland as Victor Wembanyama returned from a concussion; Fox attacked the paint and ignited the offense, showcasing his playoff-caliber impact and how well he complements the rookie star.
De’Aaron Fox poured in 28 points and seven assists to fuel a 114-93 Spurs win in Game 4 over the Trail Blazers, giving San Antonio a 3-1 series lead as rookie guards struggled; Fox’s veteran presence steadied the offense and quieted critics surrounding the trade and extension.
After a controversial clearance decision kept Victor Wembanyama out of Game 3, he returned in Game 4 to post 27 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks and 4 steals as the Spurs beat Portland 114-93 to take a 3-1 series lead, while criticizing how the concussion process was handled.
Down 17 at halftime, the Spurs rode a dramatic second-half turnaround—anchored by Victor Wembanyama’s dominance at the rim and a sharp spacing adjustment—to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 and seize a 3-1 series lead. Wembanyama posted 27 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks and sparked a defensive clampdown that held Portland to 40% shooting after intermission, while De’Aaron Fox added 28 points as San Antonio controlled the game after halftime. Portland’s offense cooled, notably going 3-for-15 from three in the second half and Scoot Henderson going scoreless in 27 minutes. The Spurs’ adjustments and turnovers (Portland’s 18) paved the way for a pivotal Game 5 in San Antonio.
Wembanyama has been cleared by medical staff to play in Sunday's Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers after a concussion in Game 2, per ESPN's Shams Charania and Malika Andrews. While the clearance is reported, concussion recoveries can vary and skepticism remains. The Spurs lead the series 2-1 and the game tips at 3:30 pm ET on ESPN.
Portland blew a double-digit lead and was outscored in the second half as San Antonio sealed a 114-93 victory in Game 4, putting the Blazers on the brink of elimination. The Blazers shot only 40% from the field and struggled from three, while Jrue Holiday contributed 20 points and guarded Victor Wembanyama, keeping Portland within reach until a late Spurs burst sealed the win. Portland must win in San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28, to force a Game 6.
Victor Wembanyama returned from concussion to post 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks as the Spurs routed the Trail Blazers 114-93, taking a 3-1 series lead. De'Aaron Fox added 28 for San Antonio, while Deni Avdija led Portland with 26 in a game SA pulled away after a 17-point first-half deficit.