Trail Blazers Clinch Playoff Berth After Chaotic Season

Portland overcomes injuries, coaching turmoil, and long odds to return to the postseason

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:48pm by

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with players' movements and the energy of the game captured through sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Trail Blazers' improbable playoff berth is a testament to the team's resilience and ability to overcome a tumultuous season.Portland Today

For the first time in five years, the Portland Trail Blazers have qualified for the NBA playoffs, capping off a tumultuous season that saw the team overcome a 32-36 record in March, injuries to key players, and the arrest of their head coach on federal charges. Led by interim coach Tiago Splitter, the Blazers rallied down the stretch, winning 11 of their last 15 games to secure the Western Conference's 7th seed and a first-round matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.

Why it matters

The Blazers' unexpected playoff berth comes after years of losing and rebuilding, and represents a major turnaround for a franchise that was widely expected to miss the postseason again this year. Their resilience and ability to overcome adversity has energized the team's fanbase, who are eager to see playoff basketball return to Portland for the first time since 2019.

The details

The Blazers' path to the playoffs was filled with obstacles, including the arrest of head coach Chauncey Billups on federal gambling charges in October, injuries to key players like Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija, and a 32-36 record as recently as March 15. However, the team rallied behind interim coach Tiago Splitter, going 11-4 down the stretch. In the Play-In Tournament, the Blazers erased an 11-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns, led by 41 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds from Avdija and a clutch performance from Jerami Grant.

  • On October 22, head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested by federal agents shortly after the Blazers' season-opening loss.
  • On March 15, the Blazers dropped to 32-36 and 10th in the Western Conference standings.
  • In the final two games of the regular season, Shaedon Sharpe returned from injury to contribute to the Blazers' playoff push.
  • On April 11, the Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Play-In Tournament to clinch the 7th seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The players

Chauncey Billups

The Blazers' head coach who was arrested and indicted as part of a federal gambling conspiracy in October.

Tiago Splitter

The Blazers' interim head coach who led the team to an 11-4 record down the stretch and a playoff berth.

Deni Avdija

The Blazers' All-Star forward who returned from injury to lead the team with 41 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds in the Play-In Tournament win over the Suns.

Shaedon Sharpe

The Blazers' young guard who returned from injury in the final two games of the regular season to contribute to the team's playoff push.

Jerami Grant

The Blazers' veteran forward who hit two crucial three-pointers down the stretch to help secure the Play-In Tournament win over the Suns.

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What they’re saying

“This team has been through so much this season, but they never gave up. I'm so proud of the way they fought to get back to the playoffs.”

— Joe Cronin, Blazers General Manager

“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle, but we believed in each other and kept fighting. This is just the beginning for us.”

— Deni Avdija, Blazers All-Star Forward

What’s next

The Blazers will face the heavily favored San Antonio Spurs and their 7'4" French superstar Victor Wembanyama in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the odds, the Blazers are confident they can pull off the upset, especially with the support of their passionate home crowd.

The takeaway

The Trail Blazers' improbable playoff berth is a testament to the team's resilience and the ability of interim coach Tiago Splitter to rally the squad after a tumultuous start to the season. Their return to the postseason has energized the team's fanbase and sets the stage for an exciting first-round matchup against the Spurs.