Overview
- Jerami Grant hit two free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining to seal Portland’s 109-107 win in the NBA Cup opener at the Moda Center.
- Nikola Jokić finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, ending his season-opening triple-double streak at four, tied with Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.
- The Trail Blazers overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, with Toumani Camara’s tie-up of Jokić and Shaedon Sharpe’s block forcing a late shot-clock violation.
- Jamal Murray started despite left calf tightness and scored 22 points as Denver’s three-game winning streak ended.
- Deni Avdija led Portland with 23 points and Sharpe added 19, giving the Blazers an early edge in West Group C, which also includes Golden State, Houston and San Antonio.