We’re sorry to make you relive some painful memories, but it turns out the Portland Trail Blazers’ heartbreaking buzzer-beating loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday put the franchise on the wrong side of very obscure history.
According to ESPN Insights, that game-winning shot from Chicago center Nikola Vucevic made the Blazers the first team in NBA history to lose three games at the buzzer via a 3-pointer in the same calendar year. So if you have felt like the heartbreak has been especially brutal
for the Blazers lately, ESPN and that stat are here to validate those feelings.
The first of the three buzzer-beating losses occurred on March 12 of last season when the New York Knicks escaped with a 114-113 win. With the Blazers protecting a two-point lead in overtime at home, Knicks forward Mikal Bridges hit a leaning 3-point dagger over Donovan Clingan. The shot put the Blazers on the losing end of one of their most spirited efforts of the season as the Knicks mobbed Bridges on the Moda Center floor.
Next up, less than two weeks ago on Nov. 10, Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane broke a 112-112 tie by drilling a heavily contested 3-pointer over Portland forward Toumani Camara. The shot spoiled a late Blazers rally that almost stole them a win on the road.
And finally, just two days ago, Vucevic found himself open from the left wing with Chicago trailing by two points and just enough time to release that game-winning 3. The shot shut down a miraculous by Portland, as the Blazers rallied from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to momentarily grab the lead.
The Blazers are back in action tonight against the Golden State Warriors as they look to bounce back from that tough loss. They have 41 more days in the calendar year to avoid losing by another buzzer-beating 3-pointer and adding to their historical number.
Also, for being reminded of those three losses: Here’s a palate-cleanser in the form of Damian Lillard sending the Houston Rockets home in 2014.
