Portland Trailblazers Defeat LA Clippers 114-104

Damian Lillard scores 32 points to lead Portland to victory over Clippers

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:47am

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The Portland Trailblazers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 114-104 in a high-scoring NBA matchup. Portland star Damian Lillard led all scorers with 32 points, while Kawhi Leonard had 27 points for the Clippers. The win moves Portland into a tie for the 6th seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

This game was an important conference matchup as both teams jockey for playoff positioning in the tight Western Conference. The Trailblazers' win keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth, while the Clippers missed an opportunity to gain ground on the teams ahead of them.

The details

The Trailblazers jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Clippers comeback attempt. Portland shot 48% from the field and hit 13 three-pointers, led by Lillard's 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. The Clippers were hampered by 16 turnovers and struggled to contain Lillard and the Trailblazers' offense.

  • The game was played on April 1, 2026.

The players

Damian Lillard

All-Star point guard for the Portland Trailblazers who scored a game-high 32 points.

Kawhi Leonard

Superstar forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who scored 27 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We really needed this win to keep pace in the playoff race. Damian was unstoppable tonight and our team played with a lot of energy on both ends.”

— Chauncey Billups, Head Coach, Portland Trailblazers

“We just couldn't get stops when we needed them. Lillard was making tough shots all night and we turned the ball over too much. We'll need to regroup before our next game.”

— Kawhi Leonard

What’s next

The Trailblazers will look to build on this win as they continue their playoff push, while the Clippers will try to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This was an important conference win for the Trailblazers, who are fighting to secure a playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference. The Clippers missed an opportunity to gain ground on the teams ahead of them, and will need to regroup quickly to keep their postseason hopes alive.