Blazers Edge Pelicans to Draw Even with Clippers for 8th Seed

Portland Trail Blazers beat New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 to tie Clippers for final playoff spot in West

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:33am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the players and movement on the court.A cubist interpretation of the intense battle between the Blazers and Pelicans as they fight for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.New Orleans Today

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 at home, tying the Los Angeles Clippers for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Blazers trailed at halftime but made key adjustments in the second half to pull away for the victory.

Why it matters

This win is crucial for the Blazers as they battle the Clippers for the last playoff position. With the Clippers having played two fewer games, the Blazers need every win they can get to secure their spot in the postseason.

The details

The Blazers were led by Jrue Holiday's 27 points and 7 three-pointers. Deni Avdija added 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while Toumani Camara hit 6 three-pointers for 23 points. The Pelicans were paced by rookie Jeremiah Fears' 21 points.

  • The Blazers and Pelicans played on April 3, 2026.
  • The Blazers trailed at halftime but pulled away in the second half.

The players

Jrue Holiday

A veteran guard for the Portland Trail Blazers who led the team with 27 points and 7 three-pointers in the win.

Deni Avdija

A key contributor for the Blazers, scoring 26 points with 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

Toumani Camara

A Blazers player who hit 6 three-pointers and scored 23 points off the bench.

Jeremiah Fears

The rookie point guard for the New Orleans Pelicans who led his team with 21 points.

Zion Williamson

The star forward for the Pelicans who scored 15 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the playoff race, so we had to come out and take care of business in the second half.”

— Jrue Holiday, Blazers Guard

What’s next

The Blazers will next face the Denver Nuggets on Monday, April 6th at 6pm PT. This will be a crucial game as they continue their push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

This victory keeps the Blazers in the hunt for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, tying them with the Clippers. With a tough remaining schedule, the Blazers will need to continue their strong play down the stretch to secure their postseason berth.