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Portland Trail Blazers: Nurkic’s best games against Portland’s upcoming opponents

By Ryan Gaskin

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 09: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter during their game at Moda Center on March 9, 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 - MARCH 09: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter during their game at Moda Center on March 9, 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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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Vs: Philadelphia 76ers

Date: 17/03/09

Result: Blazers win: 114-108

Nurkic: 28 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 blocks, 2 steals

In just his eighth game as a Portland Trail Blazers player, Nurkic went off, and ‘Nurk Fever’ was sweeping the city.

Three weeks prior, the Blazers had traded Mason Plumlee and a second-round pick for Nurkic and a first, ending Nurk’s three-year stint as a Denver Nugget. His time in Denver was reaching an ugly end, as Nurkic wasn’t happy with his playing time; Nikola Jokic was the favorite over in Denver.

The Nurkic deal quickly looked like some of Neil Olshey’s best work, as the Bosnian hit the ground running, and quickly became a fan favorite in Rip City.

Nurk was solid in his first seven games, averaging around 14, 8 and 4, and helped Portland ride a 3-game winning streak heading into the Philly game. But against the Sixers, Nurkic blew up, firing the Blazers to an OT win.

Nurkic had season highs in points, rebounds, assists and blocks; he was a beast that had been shackled in Denver, and the Portland Trail Blazers had finally released him. Sure, it wasn’t the wrong decision from Denver to prioritize Jokic over Nurkic, but they gave him away for chips, and Nurkic seemed determined to prove a point.

28 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 20 rebounds with 7 of those coming on the offensive glass, 8 of the Blazers’ total 25 assists, and 6 blocks, including one clutch rejection with a few minutes left in the 4th quarter. Nurkic looked like the missing piece, and Portland couldn’t be more thrilled.

Nurk ended up missing most of the playoffs that year, as he picked up a leg injury with 7 games to play, and failed to shake it off before the Warriors came to town. The season ended on a sour note, but the Portland Trail Blazers knew they’d took a step forward, and Nurkic was now the key to that.