Trail Blazers Face First Real Adversity After Impressive Start to Season

The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the brightest stories of the early NBA season through the first few weeks. But for the first time this year, they’re facing legitimate adversity as injuries and inconsistent play have started to catch up with them.

With Ja Morant sidelined due to injury, Portland was able to keep the ship afloat for several games, continuing to win despite being without one of its most dynamic offensive players. However, the Blazers have now dropped two consecutive games, turning what was once an impressive 6-1 record into a 6-3 start.

The first of those losses came in a competitive matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, a game in which Portland had opportunities to come away with a victory. But the most recent defeat was much more concerning, as the Blazers suffered a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs in what was arguably their lowest point of the young season.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Portland’s recent struggles has been the offense.

Early in the season, the Blazers were thriving behind a balanced offensive attack. On any given night, a different player could emerge as the leading scorer, and the team didn’t necessarily need one individual to carry the offensive load. That approach was working extremely well and played a significant role in Portland’s early success.

But more recently, that balance has started to disappear.

The offense hasn’t been nearly as effective, and there’s been a growing need for someone to step up and take control when the team struggles to generate quality looks. Without Morant, Portland is missing a player who can consistently create his own offense and put pressure on opposing defenses.

Of course, when Morant eventually returns from injury, some of these concerns should become less significant. His ability to attack the basket, create opportunities for teammates and provide another reliable scoring option will give the Blazers a much-needed boost.

Still, Portland needs to prove it can overcome adversity and maintain a consistent level of play, regardless of who’s available.

The good news is that this roster has experienced players who have been in situations like this before. Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday understand what it takes to navigate difficult stretches throughout an NBA season, and their leadership should help Portland respond.

At 6-3, the Blazers are still in a strong position relative to where many expected them to be entering the season. Two consecutive losses shouldn’t erase everything this team has already accomplished.

But if Portland is going to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, how it responds to this first stretch of adversity over the next week or two will be telling.