Anfernee Simons capped off a dramatic game with a buzzer-beating layup, leading the Portland Trail Blazers (9-18) to a stunning 122-120 win over the Denver Nuggets (14-11) on Thursday night.
Simons, who finished with 28 points and 10 assists, drove past Russell Westbrook and scored a high-arcing layup as time expired, securing Portland’s first victory in seven games.
Shaedon Sharpe was also crucial in the win, scoring 27 points, while Deni Avdija added 19 points. Deandre Ayton had a strong performance with 15 points and 13 rebounds, returning to action after missing two games due to illness.
Nikola Jokic led Denver with 34 points and 8 assists, and Jamal Murray added 24 points and 10 assists. Westbrook chipped in with 19 points. Despite their strong individual performances, the Nuggets struggled defensively against a Portland team ranked among the NBA’s worst offensively.
Denver faced a 17-point deficit entering the fourth quarter but mounted a fierce comeback. Michael Porter Jr.’s dunk with less than a minute remaining gave the Nuggets a brief 120-118 lead.
However, Simons and Sharpe both converted free throws to give Portland a two-point advantage before Jokic tied the game with a layup with 16.8 seconds left.
Portland shot 46.4% from the field, including 16 three-pointers, while Denver shot 54.0%, making 15 three-pointers of their own. The Blazers’ ability to get to the free-throw line, where they made five more attempts than the Nuggets, proved to be a key factor.
While the Nuggets struggled defensively, the Blazers were able to capitalize on Denver’s lapses, especially in the final moments of the game. Portland’s remarkable finish was a much-needed boost for a team looking to turn their season around after a tough stretch.
This game marked a defining moment for the Blazers as they snapped a six-game losing streak and showed they could compete with the best in the league. For Denver, the loss was a reminder of the importance of closing out games and maintaining defensive consistency.
