On this day three years ago, August 13, 2020, the Portland Trail Blazers clinched the eighth seed in the Western Conference and the chance to participate in the NBA’s first ever play-in game. In the eighth and final seeding game of the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Damian Lillard scored 42 points to lead the Blazers to a thrilling 134-133 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The game against the Nets was the difference between holding the advantage in the play-in game — only needing to win one game compared to the two required victories for the ninth seed — and missing the play-in entirely.