Portland Trail Blazers Dominate Charlotte Hornets in a 141-88 Blowout Victory

On February 22, 2025, the Portland Trail Blazers delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 141-88 at the Moda Center in Portland. This NBA regular-season matchup showcased the Trail Blazers’ offensive firepower and defensive prowess, as they outclassed the Hornets in nearly every statistical category. Below is a detailed breakdown of the game, including player stats and key moments, sourced from verified data on NBA.com, ESPN, and Land of Basketball.

Match Overview

• Sport: 🏀 Basketball
• League: NBA (National Basketball Association)
• Date: February 22, 2025
• Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
• Match Type: Regular Season Game
• Matchup: Charlotte Hornets vs Portland Trail Blazers Match Player Stats
• Winner: Portland Trail Blazers
• Final Score: Portland Trail Blazers 141 – Charlotte Hornets 88
• Margin of Victory: 53 points (One of the most lopsided wins of the 2024–25 season)

Game Overview

The Trail Blazers set the tone early, jumping out to a 38-21 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. By halftime, they had extended their advantage to 73-40, and they continued to pour it on in the second half, finishing with a 53-point margin of victory. Portland’s dominance was evident in their superior shooting efficiency, rebounding, and assist totals, while the Hornets struggled to find any rhythm on offense.

Team Stats Comparison

• Final Score: Portland Trail Blazers 141, Charlotte Hornets 88
• Field Goal %: Portland 58.6% (51/87), Charlotte 34.7% (34/98)
• Three-Point %: Portland 46.5% (20/43), Charlotte 15.6% (5/32)
• Free Throw %: Portland 70.4% (19/27), Charlotte 71.4% (15/21)
• Rebounds: Portland 57 (11 offensive), Charlotte 37 (12 offensive)
• Assists: Portland 37, Charlotte 19
• Steals: Portland 11, Charlotte 12
• Blocks: Portland 7, Charlotte 7
• Turnovers: Portland 18, Charlotte 15

The Trail Blazers’ balanced attack saw them outscore the Hornets in every quarter: 38-21 in the first, 35-19 in the second, 36-26 in the third, and 32-22 in the fourth.

Standout Performances

Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers’ offense was a well-oiled machine, with six players scoring in double figures and a team-wide display of efficiency. Their three-point shooting (20/43) and ability to share the ball (37 assists) overwhelmed Charlotte’s defense.

• Anfernee Simons: Led all scorers with 25 points on 8/16 shooting, including 5/10 from three-point range. Simons added 4 assists and 3 rebounds in 26 minutes, earning a +30 plus-minus. His ability to stretch the floor was a key factor in Portland’s offensive explosion.
• Toumani Camara: Delivered a stellar all-around performance with 20 points (7/9 FG, 4/6 3P), 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes. Camara’s versatility and defensive presence were critical, as evidenced by his +45 plus-minus, one of the highest in the game.
• Jabari Walker: Came off the bench to contribute 20 points (6/10 FG, 1/3 3P, 7/10 FT) and a game-high 14 rebounds in 26 minutes. Walker’s energy on the boards helped Portland dominate second-chance opportunities.
• Shaedon Sharpe: Also scored 20 points (8/12 FG, 4/7 3P) with 5 assists and 2 blocks in 21 minutes. Sharpe’s athleticism and shooting touch added another dimension to Portland’s attack.
• Deni Avdija: Added 15 points (6/10 FG), 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 23 minutes. His playmaking and defensive contributions helped maintain Portland’s momentum.
• Scoot Henderson: Provided 13 points (4/7 FG, 3/5 3P) and 5 assists in 20 minutes off the bench, showcasing his growing confidence as a facilitator.

The Trail Blazers’ bench outscored Charlotte’s reserves significantly, with players like Walker, Sharpe, and Henderson providing a spark. Portland’s defensive intensity, highlighted by 11 steals and 7 blocks, disrupted the Hornets’ offensive flow throughout the game.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets had a night to forget, struggling with poor shooting and an inability to match Portland’s energy. Several key players, including Brandon Miller, Grant Williams, and Tre Mann, were inactive, which further hampered their performance.

• Miles Bridges: Led Charlotte with 17 points (6/14 FG, 3/6 3P) and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes. Despite being the team’s top scorer, Bridges couldn’t keep pace with Portland’s onslaught, finishing with a -28 plus-minus.
• Nick Smith Jr.: Scored 14 points (6/18 FG, 0/5 3P) in 33 minutes, but his inefficiency from beyond the arc and 4 turnovers reflected Charlotte’s broader struggles.
• Jusuf Nurkić: Contributed 11 points (5/9 FG) and a team-high 8 rebounds, along with 5 assists, in 16 minutes. Nurkić’s presence in the paint was a bright spot, but he couldn’t slow down Portland’s interior attack.
• Mark Williams: Added 10 points (3/8 FG, 4/5 FT) and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. His effort on the boards was notable, but he lacked support against Portland’s frontcourt.
• LaMelo Ball: Had a rough outing, scoring just 5 points (1/10 FG, 0/4 3P) with 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 22 minutes. Ball’s uncharacteristic inefficiency underscored the Hornets’ offensive woes.

Charlotte’s bench players, including Wendell Moore Jr. (8 points) and Moussa Diabaté (5 points, 7 rebounds), provided some energy, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. The Hornets’ 15.6% three-point shooting was a major factor in their inability to mount a comeback.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Surge: Portland’s 38-point first quarter, fueled by 5 three-pointers, set the stage for their dominance. The Hornets’ 21 points were respectable but couldn’t match the Blazers’ pace.
• Second Quarter Blowout: The Trail Blazers outscored Charlotte 35-19 in the second, with Camara and Simons combining for 3 three-pointers. By halftime, the game was effectively out of reach at 73-40.
• Third Quarter Efficiency: Portland maintained their lead with a 36-26 third quarter, shooting 60% from the field while holding Charlotte to 33.3%. Sharpe’s 10 points in the quarter kept the pressure on.
• Fourth Quarter Reserves: Both teams leaned on their benches in the final frame, with Portland’s reserves like Duop Reath (8 points) and Rayan Rupert (2 points) continuing to outplay Charlotte’s second unit.

Analysis

The Trail Blazers’ victory was a testament to their balanced attack and defensive cohesion. Their 46.5% three-point shooting and 37 assists highlighted their ability to move the ball and capitalize on open looks. Portland’s rebounding advantage (57-37) and ability to limit Charlotte’s second-chance points were also key factors. The addition of players like Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan has bolstered their defensive identity, as noted in recent posts on X about their post-All-Star defensive rating.

For the Hornets, the absence of key players like Brandon Miller and Grant Williams left them shorthanded. LaMelo Ball’s off-night and the team’s abysmal three-point shooting (5/32) made it nearly impossible to compete. The Hornets’ 13-39 record and 14th-place standing in the Eastern Conference reflect their struggles this season, while Portland’s 23-33 record keeps them in the Western Conference playoff conversation.

Conclusion

The Portland Trail Blazers’ 141-88 rout of the Charlotte Hornets on February 22, 2025, was a display of offensive and defensive dominance. Anfernee Simons, Toumani Camara, and Jabari Walker led a balanced attack, while the Hornets couldn’t overcome their shooting woes and missing players. As the season progresses, Portland will look to build on this momentum, while Charlotte faces an uphill battle to turn their campaign around.