Blazers Showcase Upside in Dominant Win Over Kings on Tuesday Night

The Portland Trail Blazers have been incredibly impressive throughout the preseason, and that continued on Tuesday night as they earned a 110-98 road victory over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.

The victory keeps Portland undefeated in exhibition play at 3-0, with plenty of encouraging signs emerging ahead of the 2026-27 regular season.

And this was a game that really got out of hand early. While Sacramento made up significant ground in the fourth quarter, the Blazers controlled the contest from the opening minutes and built a lead of more than 20 points.

In fairness, the Kings were extremely undermanned, but Portland's promise continues to shine bright.

Deni Avdija led the way with 26 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting from the floor, continuing what has been an impressive preseason for the rising star. Coming off a breakout campaign, Avdija looks poised to take another step forward this season, which would be huge for the Blazers.

His ability to thrive alongside Damian Lillard has also been encouraging. The two have looked comfortable sharing offensive responsibilities, elevating Portland's ability to put points on the board and remain effective both on and off the ball.

Portland jumped out to a 33-22 advantage in the opening quarter before completely dominating the second frame, outscoring Sacramento 33-17 to take a commanding 66-39 lead into halftime.

That first-half performance essentially put the game away, with the Blazers showcasing their offensive versatility and ability to dictate the tempo.

Ja Morant was another significant contributor, finishing with 14 points and six assists without committing a turnover. And while Morant is often recognized for his highlight dunks, explosiveness and scoring ability, what makes him special goes well beyond those elements of his game.

It's the gravity he draws when attacking the basket and his ability to navigate defenses and facilitate an offense. His presence creates opportunities for teammates, and that's something Portland should benefit from throughout the upcoming season.

With Lillard, Avdija, Morant and Scoot Henderson all capable of creating offense, the Blazers have a variety of ways to attack opposing defenses.

Of course, there are still areas for improvement. Portland connected on just 11 of its 44 attempts from beyond the arc, and establishing more consistency as a perimeter shooting team will be important moving forward.

Still, the Blazers cruised to another convincing preseason victory and continue to show encouraging signs under head coach Micah Nori. Portland now has one exhibition contest remaining against the Golden State Warriors on Friday before the regular season officially begins.

And while these games don't count in the standings, the Blazers are taking care of business and building momentum, which is promising for a team looking to take a significant step forward this season.