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Portland Trail Blazers: OTD Simons drops 37 in league-changing win over Kings

By Ryan Gaskin

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 10: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers is splashed with water after scoring 37 points against the Sacramento Kings during their 136-131 win at Moda Center on April 10, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 10: Anfernee Simons #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers is splashed with water after scoring 37 points against the Sacramento Kings during their 136-131 win at Moda Center on April 10, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

OTD in 2019, the Portland Trail Blazers used their bench for the last game of the season. Down 28 points, Ant dropped 37, and the NBA was changed forever.

Let me paint the picture. Game 82 of the regular season, with the Portland Trail Blazers in control of their destiny. Word on the street was that they wanted the Utah Jazz in the first round, and Terry Stotts’ lineup vs Sacramento would suggest that was the case.

These were the six guys that suited up for the final game of the season, with the whole starting lineup (plus a few key bench guys) sitting the entire game. At one point, the lead was as large as 28, and with a minute left to play in the third quarter, the score stood at 113-91, Sacramento. The tank was seemingly in full flow, and the Blazers looked like they’d get their Utah Jazz matchup.

But then, in what was one of the most absurd moments of the entire NBA season, Anfernee Simons and co decided to take over.

Final: Sacramento Kings – 131 Portland Trail Blazers- 136

The largest comeback of any team all season, Portland’s kids brought it all the way back to overcome the Kings, and capture the #3 seed instead. With the starters all playing 40+ minutes, there were some extremely fun box scores too, with Simons leading the numbers.

Simons finished with 37 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, shooting at a clip of 61 percent from the floor. The young guard, in what was his first NBA start, also had 7 three-pointers.

He made some history too. At the time, Simons joined LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the only teenagers in NBA history to put up at least 37 points and 9 assists in a game. I’d say that’s some decent company.

Simons wasn’t the only one to show out, either. Skal Labissiere, who was also making his first NBA start, had 29 points and 15 rebounds, shooting an efficient 12-17 from the floor. This stat-line also included 4 offensive rebounds, and Skal went 2-2 from three-point land as well.

Gary Trent Jr, Jake Layman and Meyers Leonard each had 19 points, while Zach Collins added 13 and 6 off the bench.

So the Blazers got the #3 seed, and ended up playing the #6 Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, instead of the Jazz. This not only changed the Blazers’ playoff path, it also had rippling, lasting effects all throughout the league.

Let me break it down. The summer of 2019 was absolutely crazy in the free agent market, with a bunch of All-Stars swapping teams and teaming up with each other. In Portland’s series with the Thunder, Dame clinched a 4-1 win with his famous step-back and wave goodbye, effectively blowing up the entire OKC franchise.

(This wasn’t just an excuse to post this video)

So Dame hits this shot, which then causes a domino effect around the league, involving a number of trades. Without this shot, Paul George doesn’t request a trade, which also means Kawhi Leonard doesn’t go to the LA Clippers. This also means Russell Westbrook doesn’t go to the Rockets, which means Chris Paul doesn’t go to the Thunder.

Next. Could the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft be in the Portland Trail Blazers backyard?. dark

All of these scenarios (and plenty more), circle back to Anfernee Simons absolutely torching the Kings for 37 in a 28-point comeback, on a night where the Blazers weren’t even supposed to win! All in a night of the NBA, huh?

This comeback win not only changed last seasons free agency plans, but will also change the fate of the league for the next 4-5 years. Damian Lillard urged Simons to be aggressive all night long, and now, the NBA will now be drastically different, all because Simons got hot and dropped 37.