The Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference play-in bracket after a 122-110 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night at Moda Center, completing a late-season surge into postseason positioning.
Deni Avdija powered Portland with 25 points and 10 assists, setting the tone as the Blazers balanced playmaking and perimeter scoring across all four quarters.
Jrue Holiday added 23 points as Portland controlled key stretches after a first quarter that ended tied at 33, showing early signs of a competitive finish before the Blazers took command.
The victory sends Portland to Phoenix on Tuesday night to face the seventh-seeded Suns, with the winner advancing to a first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Donovan Clingan delivered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Scoot Henderson contributed 15 points in a balanced offensive effort that featured multiple contributors in rhythm.
Sacramento kept pressure on the scoreboard behind Precious Achiuwa’s 27 points and 11 rebounds, but defensive lapses in transition proved costly against Portland’s pace.
The Kings also got 24 points from Nique Clifford and 21 from Maxime Raynaud, but the loss confirmed a 22-60 finish that tied Utah for last in the Western Conference standings.
The turning point came late in the second quarter, when Portland separated after a tightly contested opening stretch. Matisse Thybulle’s three-pointer at the halftime buzzer pushed the Blazers to a 77-57 lead.
Sacramento responded with an 8-0 run early in the third quarter, trimming the margin and forcing Portland into a timeout after momentum briefly shifted.
The Blazers regained control through interior scoring and perimeter spacing, highlighted by Avdija’s fourth three-pointer and Henderson’s three-point play that pushed the lead back into double digits.
Portland carried a 96-84 advantage into the fourth quarter and maintained composure as the Kings attempted a late push behind free throws and half-court execution.
Sacramento cut the deficit to 110-101 with 6:29 remaining, but that was the closest margin the visitors could reach in the closing stretch.
Portland’s win reflects a season defined by resilience, as the team stabilized after a 6-21 start to secure postseason basketball and extend its run of competitive campaigns.
