The Trail Blazers, after multiple heroic efforts from Damian Lillard, are officially in the playoffs. Portland won the NBA’s inaugural play-in game Saturday, toppling the Grizzlies 126–122 to enter the postseason. Damian Lillard, the bubble MVP, scored 31 points while dishing out 10 assists, including a kickout pass to Carmelo Anthony for the game-clinching three. Jusuf Nurkic added 22 points and 21 rebounds just hours after learning of his grandmother's death from COVID-19, while rookie Ja Morant had 35 points in a losing effort for Memphis.
Here are three thoughts on a historic(!