Blazers Rally Past Pelicans to Boost Playoff Positioning

Portland overcomes halftime deficit with strong second-half defense to extend New Orleans' losing skid.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:30am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into abstract geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The Blazers' second-half rally showcases the team's resilience and defensive intensity as they boost their playoff positioning.New Orleans Today

The Portland Trail Blazers overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 118-106 on Thursday night. Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara combined for 13 of Portland's 20 made 3-pointers, leading the Blazers' second-half comeback. The win boosts Portland's playoff positioning in the Western Conference standings, while extending New Orleans' losing streak to six games.

Why it matters

The Blazers are fighting to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference, so this win over a struggling Pelicans team is crucial. Portland's ability to rally in the second half and limit the production of Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray shows the team's resilience and defensive intensity at a critical point in the season.

The details

Jrue Holiday led the Blazers with 27 points, including 7 made 3-pointers, while Toumani Camara added 23 points. The Blazers turned the tide in the third quarter, outscoring the Pelicans 28-16 as New Orleans committed 8 of their 19 turnovers in the frame. Portland's defense also limited Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray, who finished with 15 and 9 points respectively.

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

The players

Jrue Holiday

A veteran guard for the Portland Trail Blazers who scored a team-high 27 points, including 7 made 3-pointers, to lead the Blazers' comeback.

Toumani Camara

A key contributor off the bench for the Blazers, scoring 23 points and knocking down 6 3-pointers.

Zion Williamson

The star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, who was limited to 15 points, more than 6 fewer than his season average.

Dejounte Murray

The Pelicans' starting point guard, who finished with just 9 points as Portland's defense contained him.

Jeremiah Fears

A Pelicans reserve who scored a team-high 21 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to buckle down on defense in the second half to get back in this game. The guys really stepped up and made some big plays when we needed them.”

— Jrue Holiday, Blazers Guard

What’s next

The Blazers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Their next game is against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The takeaway

This comeback victory showcases the Blazers' resilience and defensive intensity at a critical point in the season. By limiting the production of Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray, Portland was able to rally in the second half and secure a crucial win that boosts their playoff positioning.