Most Portland Trail Blazers fans knew, even the casual ones and observers, Portland would defeat the now 16-37 Detroit Pistons, which they did 118-103 Saturday night at the Moda Center. However, what most everyone didn’t expect, if anyone at all, was Trail Blazers history in the making. And this history had not taken place in the NBA itself since March, 2018.
Portland Trail Blazers win, Enes Kanter makes history
It took place with 3:22 to go in the fourth, with the Blazers leading 115-99, Enes Kanter broke the team rebounds total, previously held by Sidney Wicks in 1975, the record was 27 rebounds at the time. Kanter would finish with 24 points, 30 rebounds in 37 minutes, filling in as starter for Jusuf Nurkic, who was out for load management. The last time an NBA player had accomplished this was, March 22, 2018 when Dwight Howard, playing for the Charlotte Hornets at the time, scored 30 points and 30 boards, defeating the Brooklyn Nets. Kanter also set a team offensive rebound total for Portland, grabbing 12, the previous was held by Wicks in 1975.
“Praise be to Allah,” Kanter said to Brooke Olzendam, in his post-game walk-off interview with her on how it felt setting the franchise record. “One thing I will say. My team is trusting me. They were rooting for me. One of the assistant coaches, Coach Yim (Jonathan), came up to me and said, ’27 is the Blazers record, you better go out there and just get to 28.’ I can’t give enough credit to my teammates. They are always with me, always supporting me. Really, really appreciate them.”
“30 Rebounds! That is great, oh my God!!” Derrick Jones Jr. excitedly told Kanter before his interview. With Nurkic’s injury, Kanter has truly taken over as the lead producer in terms of rebounds this season.
Damian Lillard passed Joe Johnson for 12th on the all-time NBA 3-point field goal leaders. He will likely pass Jason Kidd for 10th (1988) either Sunday against Miami, or Tuesday versus the Celtics. Dirk Nowitzki is 11th with 1982.