Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija scored on a layup after having his shot blocked, was fouled and made the free throw to put the Blazers up 2 points with 3.4 seconds remaining in overtime against the New York Knicks Wednesday night at the Moda Center.
Unfortunately for the Blazers, Avdija’s play didn’t hold up.
Knicks forward Mikal Bridges hit a three as time expired to give the Knicks a 114-113 overtime win at the Moda Center.
For the Blazers to make a serious run at earning a Western Conference play-in berth, they must defeat some winning teams.
That will have to wait for another night.
The Blazers have not defeated a team currently with a winning record since Feb. 6 (Sacramento).
On the positive side, Wednesday’s loss came on a night when both 10th-place Dallas and 11th-place Phoenix also lost. So, no ground was lost.
Portland Trail Blazers basketball
Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara shoots a corner three-pointer during an NBA game against the New at Moda Center on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
The Blazers needed some time to get going on Wednesday in a game that saw 42 lead changes. They shot 35% in the first quarter before Sharpe scored 10 points during a hot second quarter for the Blazers, who trailed just 48-46 at halftime.
The game remained close into the fourth quarter, where the Blazers took a 96-95 lead when Avdija hit a three with 3:46 remaining.
The Knicks went up 104-98 when Karl-Anthony Towns hit back-to-back threes with 1:16 remaining.
Scoot Henderson answered with a step-back three, leading to the Knicks calling a timeout with 58.1 seconds remaining up 104-101. Later, a Henderson reverse layup and free throw after being fouled made the score 106-104.
Henderson tied the game at 106-106 with 3.4 seconds to go after being fouled on a drive and sinking two more free throws.
A Miles McBride shot from just beyond halfcourt airballed, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Knicks led 111-110 with 56.4 seconds. Up to that point in overtime, the Blazers were 2 of 10 from the field when Simons missed a three-point attempt.
Josh Hart missed a three at the other end for the Knicks. After a series of missteps by both teams, the Blazers had the ball with 7.3 seconds to go.
The Blazers went to Avdija for what appeared to be the game-winning play. Until it wasn’t.
Henderson led the Blazers with 30 points off the bench. He shot 10 of 16 from the field, including 4 of 4 from three-point range.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (28-39) remained five games behind the 10th-place Mavericks, who lost 126-116 at the San Antonio Spurs (27-37).
Portland trails 11th-place Phoens (30-36) by 1½ games. The Suns lost 111-104 at Houston (42-25).
The Knicks (41-23) sit third in the Eastern Conference.
MURRAY STEALS
Forward Kris Murray had a career-high four steals in the game.
THYBULLE AND WILLIAMS
Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle was available Wednesday for the first time this season but did not play. Thybulle began the season out with a knee injury before suffering a grade 2 ankle sprain in November.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said before the game that he wasn’t sure what Thybulle’s role would be moving forward.
The Blazers have 15 games remaining with a solidified rotation.
Williams, who had been out with a knee injury, was also available but did not play.
Jerami Grant (knee) sat out.
NEXT UP
The Blazers host the Toronto Raptors (23-43) at 3 p.m. Sunday.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)