Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle wondered how he would fit in with the team after missing 67 games.
The answer came during Sunday afternoon’s 105-102 win over the Toronto Raptors at the Moda Center.
Thybulle used his defensive energy to change the complexion of the game and in the end, sealed the victory by blocking a three-point attempt by Orlando Robinson as time expired.
“It was fun,” Thybulle said. “My head was spinning a bit, got tired a lot faster than I was expecting, but felt like I fit in well. Felt like I was able to contribute early, which was something I was hoping to be able to do. And then, was able to recover from a mistake late in the game and save it.”
The Blazers led by three points with three seconds remaining. On the final play, Thybulle said there was supposed to be a defensive switch on contact that didn’t happen.
While Thybulle explained the play, forward Toumani Camara exited the shower area. Thybulle saw him and elevated his voice.
“In my defense, Toumani was supposed to tell everyone to switch on contact, but he didn’t tell me,” Thybulle said with a laugh. “So, I didn’t get the memo and messed it up,”
Camara, also laughing, said, “Matisse is the best safety ever.”
The confusion resulted in Robinson being wide open beyond the arc with a chance to tie the game. But Thybulle and Camara raced toward him. Thybulled arrived first and blocked the shot from behind as Robinson cocked back his arms.
“Luckily, we saved the day,” Thybulle said.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said it was “awesome” to see Thybulle make such an impact in his first game back, and do so when the team needed him.
“Obviously, you saw how he hadn’t played all year, and game’s on the line, you see, I trust him,” Billups said. “Just throw him out there.”
Thybulle began the season out with a knee injury. Days before planning to return on Nov. 20 at Oklahoma City, Thybulle sprained his right ankle during practice. The severity of the injury kept him out for nearly four months.
He was available for Wednesday’s overtime loss to the New York Knicks but did not play.
Billups said he didn’t feel comfortable throwing Thybulle into the game since he hadn’t practiced with the team.
Thybulle practiced later in the week and expected to play Sunday.
Billups called for Thybulle to enter the game with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter and the Blazers down 78-64.
Thybulle was a bit caught off guard. He was in the tunnel working on knee exercises.
“All of a sudden, everyone’s looking back at me, and I’ve got a rubberband around my knees,” he said, laughing. “I’m trying to run down there and take it off and not miss my opportunity because I was trying to do some freaking knee exercises.”
Thybulle helped the Blazers rev up their defensive intensity. By the end of the quarter, they trailed just 82-77.
“He gave us some energy that we needed,” Billups said. “Didn’t play him in the first half. Couldn’t find a spot there. We were struggling so bad. But I thought Tisse was awesome. Just to have him out there. His energy was great. His defense was really good.”
The team fed off his energy.
“He changed the game for us in that third quarter, and really changed the momentum in the game,” Blazers guard Anfernee Simons said.
In six minutes of action, Thybulle had two rebounds, an assist, two steals and the key blocked shot.
“That obviously won the game for us,” Simons said of the block.
A highlight of the night for Thybulle was the ovation he received when entering the game.
“That was pretty cool,” he said. “Can’t say I was expecting it, but I’m really grateful for just how excited people were to see me back on the court. Because, not that you feel like you’re forgotten about, but other things become a priority. And other people take the spotlight if you will. And to be able to come back just in sparing minutes, but have people be that excited about it, was a good feeling.”
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)