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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/167fe361f427dfbbf529713451786bd27b0ba588ccab5ba0c56c487cb188b4c9.jpg)
Vs: Denver Nuggets
Date: 17/03/28
Result: Blazers win: 122-113
Nurkic: 33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steals
Even after everything Nurk has done, I still think this is my favorite game.
With 9 regular season games to go, the Blazers were chasing a playoff spot, and came up against a division rival chasing a similar goal. Add in the ugly culmination of Nurkic’s time in Denver, and this game promised a few fireworks.
Jusuf Nurkic came out like a man possessed, and inspired the Blazers to a 9 point win, tallying 33 points and 15 rebounds. Nurk was 12-15 from the field, 9-11 from the line, and most certainly proved his point to his former team. ‘You were wrong’.
Nurkic also outplayed Jokic, the guy Denver prioritized as their main man, ultimately leading to Nurkic’s departure. Jokic was no slump, as the Serbian put up a neat 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, but Nurkic had the upper-hand, and seemed to target his European opponent all night long.
Aside from CJ McCollum’s hot hand (39 points), the Blazers game-plan became very simple: give the ball to Nurk, and let him go to work. If Jokic was on him, even better. Nurkic had his mind made up, he was proving a point tonight.
His post-game was the cherry on top.
Game-by-game picks for the Blazers' 8-game season. dark. Next
In Nurk’s words, “See you next summer”. Later Denver.