Game Thread 2025-26 GAME #31 - BLAZERS VS CLIPPERS - DECEMBER 26, 2025 - FRIDAY - 7:00 PM - PRIME

[blazerkor]

As much fun as that first half was that second half sucked. Our guys stopped playing together, stopped making shots and stopped playing aggressive defense.

That was a shit show. I don't think we're better than the Clippers but we're better than 63 to 41 which was the score in the second half.

 

[kjironman1]

He’s playing out of position and had 29/9/9 tonight. Without him, we’d be the worst team in the league.

So obviously he’s an MVP candidate right?

 

[blazerkor]

That was some abysmal 2H shooting.

Shaedon didn't get to the line and got blocked two more times. I hope something clicks for him where he starts to value drawing contact, because there's no reason a player with his skills and athleticism and usage should be getting blocked as much as he does and getting to the line less than five times per game.

I really think it's as simple as the old addage of taking it into the chest of shot blockers instead of trying to get around them. He's made a lot of adjustments to his game, I think he's capable of making that one but since he's yet to do it we'll just have to wait and see if he will.

 

[wizenheimer]

 

[Chris Craig]

He’s playing out of position and had 29/9/9 tonight. Without him, we’d be the worst team in the league.

Oh, I know. I'm not putting him down. Just saying we still haven't seen his best. He too often complains and allows the other team to go five on four against us. He forces shots and misses wide open teammates because his court vision is not all the way there yet. I see it getting to his head sometimes. I hope he stays humble and we get to see his best. I can't wait to see him play with Dame.

 

[blazerkor]

View attachment 78829

I just don't know if we have ever built a structure so I'm not sure we have the ability to collapse but I get your point.

Our guys didn't show up in a meaningful way in the second half and it wasn't just because the Clippers are better and even if it was because of the guys we are missing it doesn't let the coaching staff or the guys who did play for us off the hook for not showing up.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

When the announcers said that the Clippers had only one win this year after being down by 10 or more, I just had a feeling that the Blazers were going to ask someone to hold their beer.

 

[blazerkor]

When the announcers said that the Clippers had only one win this year after being down by 10 or more, I just had a feeling that the Blazers were going to ask someone to hold their beer.

You were like...

 

[wizenheimer]

I just don't know if we have ever built a structure so I'm not sure we have the ability to collapse but I get your point.

Our guys didn't show up in a meaningful way in the second half and it wasn't just because the Clippers are better and even if it was because of the guys we are missing it doesn't let the coaching staff or the guys who did play for us off the hook for not showing up.

the problem with the injury issue is there's no real sign it will get better any time soon

* Jrue has to have a pretty serious calf injury to miss this long and with the connection between strained calf muscles and Achilles tears, it might still be weeks before Jrue returns

* Grant is another of those pretty worrying injuries. "Achilles Tendon pain" could keep him out quite a while

* Scoot's hamstring injury just about has to be a grade 3 tear at this point. Often those require surgery, but maybe that wasn't an option back in September. But for Scoot to still not be jumping or running is pretty discouraging

* Thybulle is always hurt it seems

and this all comes after Portland decided to invest one roster slot in a 35 year old guard who won't play this season; and another on a project C who is basically unplayable if Portland is trying to win. So, depth was already compromised

 

[HailBlazers]

and this all comes after Portland decided to invest one roster slot in a 35 year old guard who won't play this season; and another on a project C who is basically unplayable if Portland is trying to win. So, depth was already compromised

Or designed well to get another lotto pick

 

[KingSpeed]

the problem with the injury issue is there's no real sign it will get better any time soon

* Jrue has to have a pretty serious calf injury to miss this long and with the connection between strained calf muscles and Achilles tears, it might still be weeks before Jrue returns

* Grant is another of those pretty worrying injuries. "Achilles Tendon pain" could keep him out quite a while

* Scoot's hamstring injury just about has to be a grade 3 tear at this point. Often those require surgery, but maybe that wasn't an option back in September. But for Scoot to still not be jumping or running is pretty discouraging

* Thybulle is always hurt it seems

and this all comes after Portland decided to invest one roster slot in a 35 year old guard who won't play this season; and another on a project C who is basically unplayable if Portland is trying to win. So, depth was already compromised

What about Wesley? When is he coming back??

 

[Chris Craig]

What about Wesley? When is he coming back??

February

 

[PCmor7]

I really think it's as simple as the old addage of taking it into the chest of shot blockers instead of trying to get around them. He's made a lot of adjustments to his game, I think he's capable of making that one but since he's yet to do it we'll just have to wait and see if he will.

It is. What you see him do a lot of the time is to try to go around shot blockers and fade and that's when he gets blocked. Also, you're less likely to get rewarded by the officials. Look at Toumani trying to pack it over Lopez. If he can do that, Shaedon can do it a couple of times per game.

 

[kjironman1]

February

Maybe? And that is too late anyway. This team doesn't need to win another game all season.

 

[Hoopguru]

Maybe I didnt see this accurately, but I saw Camara chew on Deni a bit after a forced drive to the hoop that wasn't good. Could there have been some chemistry issues at half time?

 

[wizenheimer]

Or designed well to get another lotto pick

if that was the goal Jrue would have been re-routed to another team before the season

pretty clearly the goal was to compete for a playoff spot until the Orthopedic Arch-Angel cast the Blazers into another limbo

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[THE HCP]

seems like the tank is on. You cant have Rupert and Cidy in there.

You can’t and expect to COMPETE, that’s for damn sure.

 

[THE HCP]

This team really has to stop playing down to their opponents, and in most cases, playing significantly worse than their opponents (who are "worse").

I honestly don’t think that a team with Kawhi and Harden are “worse” than us regardless of their current place in the standings. We are rolling out G-League players son.

 

[THE HCP]

This homestand was what Blazer media kept point to as our chance to get going and get guys back. Neither is close to happening.

“Blazer Media”? I don’t recall any team related media reports of players coming back this week?

 

[THE HCP]

I am on the #trade_Toumani train.

Stop! WHEN he has competent shooters on the floor with him, his game will be a perfect fit.

 

[THE HCP]

He’s playing out of position and had 29/9/9 tonight. Without him, we’d be the worst team in the league.

Stat chasing?

 

[crandc]

Such a great start. Really thought they had this one. Three home games, two blowouts and a collapse. Dog knows I love the Blazers but this isn't something I want to watch.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

I have grown used to big early leads evaporating and turning into losses. Not sure if that’s a Blazer thing or the NBA as a whole.