Blazers Fall Short in Thriller Against Hornets

Deni Avdija's playmaking shines, but Blazers struggle on the boards in second half

Mar. 11, 2026 at 7:09am

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The Portland Trail Blazers lost a close 103-101 game against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. The game was also Blazer's Edge Night, where the Blazers hosted over 2,600 children, youth, and chaperones from the Portland area. Despite Deni Avdija's strong performance running the point and Scoot Henderson's hot shooting in the first half, the Blazers couldn't maintain their momentum in the second half as the Hornets dominated the boards.

Why it matters

The game highlighted the Blazers' need to find consistency, especially in areas like rebounding and tempo control. Avdija's playmaking also reinforced the idea that he may be best suited as the team's primary point guard moving forward. The Blazer's Edge Night event was a success, providing an unforgettable experience for thousands of local kids to see the Blazers play in person.

The details

Deni Avdija led the Blazers with his strong floor leadership and passing, while Scoot Henderson caught fire from three-point range in the first half. However, the Blazers struggled to maintain their energy and intensity after halftime, allowing the Hornets to take control on the glass. The game also featured numerous replay reviews that disrupted the flow and momentum of the fourth quarter.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Blazer's Edge Night was held in conjunction with the game.

The players

Deni Avdija

A versatile forward who has emerged as a key playmaker for the Blazers, showcasing his vision and passing ability.

Scoot Henderson

The Blazers' young star guard, who had a hot shooting performance in the first half but struggled in the second half as the Hornets' defense adjusted.

Donovan Clingan

One of the Blazers' big men, who along with Robert Williams III, was unable to match the Hornets' rebounding effort in the second half.

Robert Williams III

The other half of the Blazers' big man duo, who had a strong connection with Avdija on alley-oop plays.

Charlotte Hornets

The Blazers' opponent, who were able to take control of the game in the second half by dominating the boards.

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What they’re saying

“I'm calling this right now. As long as he's on the team, Deni Avdija needs to be the point guard. Things go better for him and his teammates when he runs the show.”

— Dave Deckard, Blazer's Edge writer (Blazer's Edge)

“Scoot went 4-5 from distance in the first half. It turned him into a monster, an impossible handful for the Hornets. The defense came out, the floor opened, it was practically paradise.”

— Dave Deckard, Blazer's Edge writer (Blazer's Edge)

What’s next

The Blazers will look to bounce back in their next game, as they continue to search for consistency and the right lineup combinations to maximize their potential.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Blazers' need to maintain their energy and intensity for the full 48 minutes, as well as the importance of controlling the boards. Deni Avdija's playmaking and Scoot Henderson's shooting ability were bright spots, but the Blazers ultimately couldn't overcome the Hornets' second-half surge.