The Portland Trail Blazers were expected to finish the 2024-25 season close to their 21-win total from last season. But currently, Portland is 19-29, on pace for a 32-win season. They are one of the hottest teams in the league right now, winning six of their last seven games.
Things are finally starting to click for their young roster. It's been fun to watch them flip that switch as players finally figure out their roles and how to play off one another best.
How legitimate this stretch has been will be put to the test in this grueling upcoming schedule. Their next six opponents are the Suns (twice), Pacers, Kings, Timberwolves, Nuggets (twice), and Lakers.
They'll likely regress, but regardless, the Blazers are exceeding expectations this season from a win-loss standpoint. So, what's changed?
1. Offseason additions of Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan
Portland has more overall talent after bringing Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan into the mix.
Avdija started the season off slow, as his shot wasn't falling, and he was still figuring out where exactly he fit in with this Portland roster. But he's shaken the rust off and looks like the same player he was in Washington that made the Blazers give up two first-round picks despite being a rebuilding team.
Typically, we'd advise against doing that, but an exception can be made for Avdija. He's a special talent and the versatile two-way wing that the Blazers desperately needed.
Clingan hasn't been as impactful as Avdija, which was to be expected for a 20-year-old rookie who has to compete for minutes with two other starting-level centers. Clingan hasn't even reached 600 total minutes as a Blazer, averaging 16.4 minutes in 35 games.
But Clingan is incredibly efficient when he does play as his per 36 numbers are off the chart -- his 3.5 blocks are second behind that one really tall guy in San Antonio, while his 14.4 rebounds are tied for third.
2. The Blazers are healthier
The Blazers have dealt with their share of injuries, as does any team. Matisse Thybulle still has yet to play as he continues to recover from his grade 2 right ankle sprain. That's an underrated loss as he's one of the best defensive wings in the league, and his shot has become more reliable, making 38.8 and 34.6 percent of his threes in his first two seasons with Portland.
There have been other more short-term injuries, too. Shaedon Sharpe missed the first eight games with a left shoulder injury. Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, and Clingan haven't exceeded 40 games played yet this season. But compared to last season, this year is going much better from a health standpoint.
In 2023-24, Robert Williams III only played six games last year due to season-ending knee surgery. Sharpe was limited to just 32 games after undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury. Anfernee Simons, Grant, and Ayton all played less than 60 games.
There's a possibility more injuries "pop up" towards the end of the season when the Blazers are clearly out of playoff contention. But for now, the Blazers have strength in numbers.
3. Internal improvements
As one of the youngest teams in the NBA, there was bound to be some progress with the Blazers' players. Scoot Henderson is showing many promising signs, largely due to his improved three-point shot (36.4 percent) and overall decision-making. Sharpe is having the best season of his young career, averaging 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Toumani Camara was recently named as a replacement in the Rising Stars event, joining Henderson, and for good reason. He's the prototypical 3-and-D wing, shooting 34.7 percent from deep and already emerging as one of the best wing defenders in the league.
Several of Portland's veterans have actually had down years, including their three starters: Simons, Grant, and Ayton. But their young core is picking up the slack.