The Nuggets come into Portland on a three game heater of a winning streak. Over the offseason, the team added Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas to a team that took the 2025 Champions Oklahoma City Thunder to a game seven in the second round of last year’s playoffs. This newly fortified squad is the first team in NBA history to score at least 120 points in their first four games of the season.
They meet a Portland Trail Blazers team that just won two out of three games
on the road. They lack elite talent, but has played with wildly entertaining passion and cohesion at both ends of the court.
What You Need to Know
Portland Trail Blazers (3-2) vs. Denver Nuggets (3-1) – Fri. Oct. 31 – 7pm Pacific
How to watch via antenna or cable: See your options on the Rip City Television Network.
How to watch via streaming: BlazerVision in Oregon and Washington; League Pass everywhere else.
How to listen: Rip City Radio 620AM
Trail Blazers injuries: Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle Out; Kris Murray, Robert Williams III (Questionable); Shaedon Sharpe (Probable)
Nuggets injuries: Jamal Murray (Questionable); Cam Johnson (Probable)
What to Watch For:
Nikola Jokic. The three-time-MVP has registered a triple double in every game this season, tying a record set by Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook. He’ll have a chance to break that record on Friday against the Blazers.
Aaron Gordon.
His early season play has been turning heads. He’s averaged 21.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. A week ago, he scored 50 points on 10 threes in a loss the Warriors.
Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object. The Nuggets lead the league in assists per game while your Portland Trail Blazers lead the Association in steals per game.
Homecoming. David Adelman returns to the Rose City for the first time as Nuggets head coach. He was born in Salem, was once a Blazers ball boy, won a 1999 OSAA championship with the Jesuit Crusaders, and of course, and is the son of Hall of Fame Blazers coach, Rick Adelman [subscription required].
Mean Gene. Tonight’s matchup will be an opportunity for Adelman to reconnect with his high school coach, seven-time-OSAA-champion, Gene Potter.
The Nuggets’ general famously brought in Potter to provide another set of eyes as he prepared for the 2025 playoffs. Potter’s 1999 team featured both Adelman and Golden State GM Mike Dunleavy. Their championship winning squad was recently inducted into Jesuit’s sports hall of fame.
Turbo. Deni Advija has been playing like a man possessed. He says the Blazers are building something special.
Sources of Inspiration. Blazers rookie Yang Hansen says he models his game on Jokic’s. Tonight will be his first regular season look at the Nuggets big man. I’ll be surprised if the two take the floor at the same time. Yang isn’t yet ready to tangle with the man who may be the greatest center of all time, but let’s hope he’s studying Walton and Sabonis highlights in preparation. Throw it down, Big Man.
What Others Are Saying:
Blazers Named Wesley Are Tough
