The Portland Trail Blazers endured a crushing 132-87 defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Moda Center, a game that will likely haunt them for some time. Despite being deprived of key players Ja Morant and Desmond Bane due to injuries, the Grizzlies dominated the court in a display of surprising agility and cohesion.
From the tip-off, the Blazers struggled to keep pace with the Grizzlies. By the end of the first quarter, they were trailing by 19 points, a gap that only widened as the game progressed. The second quarter saw the deficit expand to 25 points, and by the third, the Grizzlies were comfortably leading by 35. In what was an embarrassing showing, Portland managed to convert a paltry 9.5% of their three-point attempts, sinking just 4 out of 42 shots from beyond the arc.
This was not just any loss; it was a three-game losing streak compounded by the fact that Portland's offensive output hit a jarring low—recording just 80.9 points per 100 possessions, the worst in the NBA season thus far. The Blazers' season record fell to a disappointing 3-8, and the frustration was palpable among players and coaches alike.
A Dark Day in Portland
Head Coach Chauncey Billups did not mince words in his post-game assessment. "It was just f---ing embarrassing, to be honest with you," he commented, visibly frustrated by the team’s performance. Billups went on to criticize the team’s lack of effort, stating, "We were soft as hell the whole game. Nobody really fought. It was just embarrassing." His raw honesty underscored the depth of the team’s struggles on the night.
Adding to his candid remarks, Billups challenged his players' mentality following the lopsided loss. "I told 'em that anybody that sleeps well tonight, you're a loser. It’s just that simple. You sleep well after this one, you’re a loser," he said, pointing to a deep-seated issue that seemed to pervade the squad. His sentiments reflected a coach who was not just disappointed in the loss, but also in the apparent lack of fight and passion.
Reflections and Responsibility
Billups took responsibility for the team's performance, despite his evident frustration with the players. "At the end of the day, that's on me. I'm the leader of this. This is our team, but I'm the head of this. So, to me, I take that very personally,” he admitted, accepting that as the head coach, the responsibility ultimately rests on his shoulders.
While the 45-point loss was not Portland's largest, it was the manner of the defeat that was most concerning for Billups. "We've lost by more points than this, but it's how. It's how. It's just you're laying down and just kind of caving in and giving in,” he lamented. This lack of effort and determination was particularly puzzling for a coach who has known his team to scrap and fight, even in the face of overwhelming odds. He confessed his bewilderment, saying, “I really don't know where that came from, to be honest with you. We scrap. That's what we do. We don't win all our games—not even close—but we fight. We don't lay down. And today they laid down.”
Looking Forward
The Blazers have little time to dwell on this defeat. They are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Cup, with back-to-back games that offer a chance for redemption. These games present an opportunity for Billups and his squad to recalibrate and address the shortcomings laid bare by the Grizzlies.
For the fans and the franchise, this moment serves as a crossroads. The reaction and adjustments in the coming matches will likely define the trajectory of their season. As the Blazers aim to restore their tenacity and competitive spirit, Billups’s challenge to his team—to fight and to not lay down—will resonate as they take the court again.