The 28-34 Portland Trail Blazers are four games out of a play-in spot. While unlikely, it remains a possibility, especially with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs dealing with significant injuries and the Phoenix Suns continuing to spiral.
The Blazers will have their work cut out for them, though. Not only do they have just 20 games remaining, but they also have the third-hardest strength of schedule (.540) left to play.
Their next two games are on the road against arguably the two best teams in the league, the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder. Then, they have three more games against playoff-bound teams: the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, and New York Knicks. Portland is playing better, but they will be lucky to come away with two wins during this upcoming five-game stretch.
The schedule isn't all bad news, though, as Bill Walton Tribute Night is coming up!
More information on Bill Walton Tribute Night
Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the Blazers have provided more information regarding the Bill Walton Tribute Night.
The Blazers have announced more details about the Bill Walton Tribute Night that will take place at their next home game on Sunday, March 9 vs. Detroit: pic.twitter.com/NQNBXobB9f
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) February 25, 2025
The Bill Walton Tribute Night will take place on Sunday, March 9, the Blazers' next home game. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM PST.
It should be an entertaining game as both Portland and Detroit are exceeding expectations this season and appear ready to accelerate their respective rebuilds as soon as next season. But more importantly, it's a great way to honor Walton, arguably the greatest Blazers player of all time, who passed away on May 27, 2024, at the age of 71.
The Blazers will have several unique but fitting ways to celebrate Walton's life, including tie-dyed headbands and a Grateful Dead tribute band. Tickets are available here.
Rip City Remix guard Isaac Nogués Gonzaléz enters 2025 NBA Draft
Jake Fischer of The People's Insider recently had a great exclusive story on Substack (subscription required) covering Rip City Remix guard Isaac Nogués Gonzaléz's decision to enter the 2025 NBA Draft midseason.
Nogués Gonzaléz, 21, was the No. 4 overall pick in the G League International Draft last year. He's a 6-foot-5 wing whose calling card is on the defensive end.
"I can defend a lot of positions. Not only the point guard. Not only the best player. I can defend all 48 minutes of the game. I can give 100% of my energy on defense. This really helps any team," Nogués Gonzaléz told Fischer.
That sounds an awful lot like another versatile defender currently on the Blazers' roster (Toumani Camara). Fischer notes that Nogués Gonzaléz recently set a G League record with ten steals in a game. His 6.1 percent steal rate this season is the highest for any professional player.
Role players in the NBA typically stick around because they are elite at one or two specific skills. Nogués Gonzaléz has that working in his favor as a potential defensive specialist with room to grow on the offensive end.
Meyers Leonard announces his retirement
Former Blazers big man Meyers Leonard announced his NBA retirement on Instagram. He also included a video for his country song, "Good In Goodbye," where Leonard reflects on his life and career with the Blazers.
Leonard was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He played ten seasons total, nine of which were in Portland. For his career, Leonard averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds. He was a modern big man, a 7-footer who shot 39 percent from three in his career.
Leonard was a part of Portland's Western Conference Finals run in 2019. And although Enes Freedom primarily filled the void left by Jusuf Nurkic's injury that season, Leonard still contributed in some key moments.
His most notable performance was Game 4 of the WCF against the Golden State Warriors, where Leonard had a team-high 30 points to go along with 12 rebounds, shooting 12-of-16 from the field and 5-of-8 from deep. That also happened to be Leonard's career high, and it came at the perfect time.