Rip City Project
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Vs: Brooklyn Nets

Date: 19/03/25

Result: Blazers win: 148-144

Nurkic: 32 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals

Sigh.

This game is still a heartbreaker, and probably always will be. However, just before Nurkic went down with that horrific broken leg, he was in the middle of absolutely torching the Brooklyn Nets.

In 33 minutes, Nurk tallied 32 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. He’d never looked better, and the Portland Trail Blazers looked like a team that could go all the way. I’m serious when I say this, if Nurkic had been around for the WCF series, the Blazers have a shot at going to the Finals. They were that good, and he is that good.

People forget that the Blazers had 15+ point leads in 3 of the 4 games against the Warriors. A competent scorer, playmaker and defender like Nurk in the mix, and I’m sure the Blazers hold onto at least a couple of those wins.

Nurk isn’t usually as aggressive as he was this game, but it shows off the layers he has as a player. Whether he was bullying Jarrett Allen or exploiting mismatches, Nurkic was unstoppable in the paint.

Nurkic managed to get so much offense out of the Harkless and Aminu too, and this game is a prime example. The two forwards never stopped cutting, and Nurk is one of the few big men in the game with the skills to make those sorts of passes.

The Blazers will play the Nets in game six of eight, which hopefully gives Nurkic enough time to shake off that rust, and go straight back to work.