Blazers Boost Playoff Positioning, Extend Pelicans' Skid

Portland rallies in the second half to defeat visiting New Orleans 118-106.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:49am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a variety of colors, capturing the intensity and movement of the action.The Blazers' second-half surge and stifling defense proved too much for the struggling Pelicans to overcome.New Orleans Today

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 on Thursday, boosting their playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Jrue Holiday led the Blazers with 27 points, including 7 three-pointers, while Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija also had strong scoring performances. The Blazers' defense forced 19 Pelicans turnovers, which helped them overcome a halftime deficit and pull away in the second half.

Why it matters

This win is crucial for the Blazers as they fight to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have now lost six straight games, further hurting their postseason chances.

The details

The Blazers trailed 65-60 at halftime but outscored the Pelicans 28-16 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Holiday hit a key three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Portland's defense forced 19 Pelicans turnovers, which led to several fast-break opportunities and easy baskets.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Jrue Holiday

A veteran guard for the Portland Trail Blazers who led the team with 27 points, including 7 three-pointers.

Toumani Camara

A forward for the Portland Trail Blazers who scored 23 points to help lead the team's second-half comeback.

Deni Avdija

A forward for the Portland Trail Blazers who scored 24 points in the win.

Jeremiah Fears

A reserve guard for the New Orleans Pelicans who led the team with 21 points.

Zion Williamson

A star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans who was held to 15 points, below his season average.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out with more energy in the second half and take care of the ball better. Our defense really set the tone and got us some easy baskets in transition.”

— Jrue Holiday, Trail Blazers Guard

What’s next

The Blazers will look to continue their strong play and solidify their playoff positioning, while the Pelicans will try to end their skid and get back into the postseason race.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Blazers' ability to make in-game adjustments and capitalize on their opponent's mistakes. Their defensive intensity in the second half proved to be the difference, as they were able to create turnovers and convert them into easy scoring opportunities. The Pelicans, on the other hand, will need to find a way to limit their turnovers and get more consistent production from their star players if they hope to turn their season around.