Deandre Ayton’s dominant performance lifted the Portland Trail Blazers (8-12) to a 115-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings (9-11) in an NBA Cup game on Friday night. Ayton contributed 26 points and nine rebounds, helping Portland keep its tournament hopes alive.
Anfernee Simons added 21 points and nine assists, while Deni Avdija recorded 20 points and nine rebounds. Dalano Banton provided a significant spark off the bench with 17 points and a career-high five steals. Six Trail Blazers scored in double figures, showcasing a balanced team effort.
Malik Monk led Sacramento with 29 points off the bench, hitting eight 3-pointers. Domantas Sabonis notched 21 points and 11 assists, while De’Aaron Fox added 22 points. Despite the strong performances, the Kings fell to 0-3 in Group A, eliminating them from NBA Cup contention.
The Blazers seized control late in the second quarter with a 9-2 run that turned a close contest into a double-digit advantage. Sacramento struggled to close the gap, trailing the rest of the game as Portland maintained its lead with dominant paint play, outscoring the Kings 64-34 inside.
Portland’s efficiency proved decisive, as the team shot 51.1% from the field compared to Sacramento’s 44.9%. The Kings had more free-throw attempts and three-point tries but failed to capitalize, shooting just 35.7% from beyond the arc.
Sacramento’s turnovers also played a role, with Portland scoring 17 points off 20 giveaways. The Trail Blazers’ bench, led by Banton, outscored the Kings’ reserves 23-21, giving Portland the depth it needed to secure the win.
With the victory, Portland improved to 2-1 in Western Conference Group A, remaining in contention for the knockout stage. The Rockets (3-0) currently lead the group, while the Lakers (2-2) sit behind the Blazers after their loss to the Thunder.
The Kings were hindered by poor shooting from their starting forwards. Keegan Murray managed only three points on 1-of-9 shooting, while Jae Crowder scored 10 but struggled from deep. Sacramento’s inability to control the paint and their inconsistent offense proved too much to overcome.
Ayton’s strong showing underscored his importance to the Blazers, particularly with key players like Jerami Grant and Scoot Henderson unavailable due to injuries. Ayton has been a reliable presence for Portland, averaging a near double-double in the tournament.
Simons and Avdija also continued to shine for the Blazers. Simons has been critical in providing playmaking and scoring, while Avdija has stepped up with his all-around contributions. Their efforts, combined with Ayton’s interior dominance, have kept Portland competitive in Group A.
