Trail Blazers Defeat Clippers, 116-97, to Clinch No. 8 Seed

Portland's bench outscores LA 40-21 in key victory to move up in the West standings.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:23am by

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the intensity and energy of the competition.The Blazers' bench outscored the Clippers' reserves by 19 points, proving to be the difference in a crucial late-season matchup between the Western Conference playoff contenders.Portland Today

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 116-97 at home on Friday night, securing the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoff race. The Blazers used a 17-2 run in the first half to take control of the game, and then responded to a Clippers comeback in the fourth quarter with a 23-5 run sparked by a pair of driving dunks from Robert Williams III. Deni Avdija led Portland with 35 points, while Donovan Clingan added 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Why it matters

This win moves the Trail Blazers into the No. 8 spot in the West, overtaking the Clippers. With one game left, Portland can clinch a winning record for the season and secure the No. 8 seed, which would set up a first-round playoff matchup against the Phoenix Suns.

The details

The Blazers used a dominant 17-2 run in the first half to take control of the game, but the Clippers fought back and took an 88-86 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Portland responded with a 23-5 run, led by two powerful dunks from reserve forward Robert Williams III, to pull away for the 116-97 victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 11, 2026.
  • The Blazers have one regular season game remaining on Sunday, April 13, 2026 against the Sacramento Kings.

The players

Deni Avdija

The Trail Blazers' leading scorer, pouring in 35 points in the win.

Donovan Clingan

Portland's starting center, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Robert Williams III

The Blazers' reserve forward, who sparked a key 23-5 run in the fourth quarter with two powerful driving dunks.

Tiago Splitter

The Trail Blazers' head coach, who praised his team's patience and resilience in weathering the Clippers' comeback attempt.

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What they’re saying

“I told the guys they are going to make runs, we have to be patient and resilient.”

— Tiago Splitter, Head Coach, Portland Trail Blazers

What’s next

If the Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, they will clinch a winning record for the season and secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They would then face the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This hard-fought win over the Clippers showcases the resilience and depth of the Trail Blazers, who were able to withstand a late comeback attempt and pull away for a convincing victory. Portland's strong bench play and ability to respond to runs will be crucial as they prepare for a potential playoff matchup against the top-seeded Suns.