Seattle, WA

Trail Blazers lose tight game in front of enthusiastic Seattle NBA fans

Published

1 year ago

October 12, 2024

Trail Blazers lose tight game in front of enthusiastic Seattle NBA fans

SEATTLE – The Portland Trail Blazers played their first preseason game Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena and lost 101-99 to the LA Clippers.

The winning basket for the Clippers came on an alley-oop dunk by Kai Jones on a pass from Jordan Miller with 2.2 seconds on the clock. Blazers guard Dalana Banton missed a three-point attempt as time expired.

The thrilling end added to the atmosphere that more resembled a playoff game. Many Seattle sports legends were in attendance to welcome the NBA back to Seattle, even if just for one night – for now.

Former Supersonics legends Sean Kemp, Gary Payton, and Jamal Crawford were on hand. So were a handful of famous former Seahawks, including coach Pete Carroll. Former Blazers star Brandon Roy, from Seattle, was also on hand.

They were all there to watch the Blazers take on the LA Clippers. One team doesn’t have much hope for the upcoming season, while the other could get into the playoff mix.

For the Blazers, the night was about testing what they worked on during training camp. Rebounding and pace were at the top of the list.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said his team was a bit antsy to play an opponent after nearly two weeks of training camp, which might have caused the Blazers not to play their best.

“I thought we struggled,” Billups said. “I thought their physicality early in the game had an impact on us. We turned it over early. And even when we didn’t turn it over, we just weren’t clean at all … But it was good to get out there and get one in.”

The Blazers committed nine turnovers in the first half and 17 for the game, which the Clippers converted into 23 points.

Also important all season long will be the play of second-year guard Scoot Henderson and rookie center Donovan Clingan.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) shoots with Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) defending during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) APAP

Henderson closely resembled the player he was for most of last season when he struggled after being selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

Henderson committed two turnovers within the game’s first minute and ended the night with seven in 30 minutes. He went on to score 13 points while shooting 4 of 16 from the field and 1 of 6 on three-pointers. Henderson also added three assists and three rebounds.

Rookie center Donovan Clingan made his first shot, a three-pointer from straight away. He ended the game with seven points and five rebounds in 19 minutes. He backed up Deandre Ayton, who, in 17 minutes, put up eight points and seven rebounds.

Jerami Grant scored 15 points in just 16 minutes. Toumani Camara led the Blazers with 19 points. He shot 5 of 9 from the field and added nine rebounds.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Blazes were down Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder) and Anfernee Simons (ankle soreness). That’s a lot of offensive firepower to play without. Also, forward Deni Avdija sat out for personal reasons.

That the Blazers had a chance to win says a lot about the rest of the roster.

Kris Murray started at guard and delivered nine points on 4-of-7 shooting.

Toumani Camara, Kai Jones — Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) drives against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kai Jones (23) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) APAP

PACESETTERS

The Blazers want to play faster this season than in 2023-24 when they ranked 21st at 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes. On Friday, the Blazers had a 102.2 pace.

“Not great, but I thought their full-court pressure kind of impacted that,” Billups said. “And then also, their offensive rebounding really hurt us.”

The Clippers converted 10 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points. Overall, Portland outrebounded the Clippers 47-43.

NEXT UP

The Blazers play their second preseason game at 3 p.m., Sunday at the Sacramento Kings.

— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks designate 3 players to return to practice

Published

30 minutes ago

December 3, 2025

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks designate 3 players to return to practice

A trio of Seattle Seahawks who were on injured reserve are returning to practice.

Safety Julian Love, defensive lineman Jarran Reed and wide receiver Dareke Young were each designated to return to practice by the Seahawks on Wednesday.

Ernest Jones IV named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

The 27-year-old Love, a starter and leader on Seattle’s defense, has missed nine games this season with a hamstring injury and last played in Week 4 against Arizona. The 2023 Pro Bowl selection was placed on IR Nov. 1, meaning last week was the earliest he was eligible to return. Love had 18 tackles, two passed defended and one sack in three games before heading to IR.

Reed, a 32 year old a key member of the Seahawks’ defensive line rotation, was placed on IR Nov. 8 and has missed the past four games with wrist and thumb injuries. He had 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks in eight games prior to the injuries.

Young, 26, also went on IR Nov. 8 while dealing with a quadriceps injury. A key special-teams player, Young had seven tackles and 10 kickoff returns for 322 yards before his injury. He also had two receptions for 48 yards.

Reed and Young became eligible to return to practice this week.

The Seahawks now have a 21-day window to activate each player to the 53-man roster or place them on IR for the rest of the season. Players do not count against the 53-man roster until they are activated.

Other notable Seahawks still on IR include center Jalen Sundell, wide receiver Tory Horton and tight end Eric Saubert.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Where Seattle Seahawks’ defense ranks among league’s best
• Two ex-Seahawks coaches fall short of being HOF finalists
• Where Seahawks stand in latest NFL power rankings
• Roster Moves: Seahawks waive ex-UW star, sign LB to practice squad
• Schlereth: Seattle Seahawks showing they’re ‘a smart football team’

Follow @ZacHereth

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Seattle, WA

COUNTDOWN: Four days until biggest night of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays

Published

13 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Press Room

COUNTDOWN: Four days until biggest night of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays

(WSB photo, 2024)

Saturday night (December 6) is approaching – the night when the lights will start shining on the West Seattle Junction Christmas tree in Junction Plaza Park, during a four-hour festival. SW Alaska will be closed east of California for the Night Market, which starts at 4 pm – here’s how the rest of the night rolls out, mostly on the stage, which will again be in the park:

4:30 PM – Endolyne Children’s Choir
5:00 PM – West Seattle School of Rock
5:30 PM – Pet Costume Contest (top prize worth $100!)
5:45 PM – Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM – Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM – Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM – Night Market closes

The Junction has published the list of vendors – more than 20 – see it here. And it’ll all happen regardless of the weather. See you in The Junction – where Hometown Holidays gets going two nights earlier, with Shop Late Thursday (December 4).

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Seattle, WA

How the Seattle Seahawks can clinch a playoff spot before the LA Rams rematch

Published

1 day ago

December 2, 2025

Press Room

How the Seattle Seahawks can clinch a playoff spot before the LA Rams rematch

The Seattle Seahawks are in strong position to make the playoffs. At 9-3 and tied for the best record in the NFC, it’d take one heck of a collapse over the final five weeks for Seattle to not return to the postseason for the first time since 2022. While the main focus is on winning the NFC West and the No. 1 seed, the sooner Seattle can get a playoff berth clinched the better.

One of the favorable results for the Seahawks last week was the Detroit Lions losing to the Green Bay Packers. This leaves the Lions on the outside looking in as the No. 8 team in the NFC, two games behind the Seahawks with five to go.

NFC standings after Week 13

1. Chicago Bears (9-3)
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
5. Seattle Seahawks (9-3)
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

8. Detroit Lions (7-5)
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)
10. Carolina Panthers (7-6)
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
12. Minnesota Vikings (4-8)
13. Arizona Cardinals (3-9) – e
14. Washington Commanders (3-9)
15. New Orleans Saints (2-10) – e
16. New York Giants (2-11) – e

It would’ve been a bonus if the Cowboys had lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, which we’ll explain in just a second.

How soon the Seattle Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth in Week 15

That’s right, the Seahawks may already have a playoff spot locked up by Week 16 and that highly anticipated rematch with the Los Angeles Rams. It’s not incredibly realistic but it’s not impossible.

That’s it. Seattle would be 11-3, the Lions would be 7-7, and the Cowboys would be 7-6-1 with three games to play. While the Carolina Panthers could theoretically finish with the same record as the Seahawks at 11-6, an 11-6 record would automatically win them the NFC South over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As long as the Seahawks have four more wins than Detroit and Dallas by Week 16, it’s a wrap.

Seattle winning its next two games is very possible, and based on the way the Lions look right now I’d say the Lions losing their way to a 7-7 record through Week 15 is also possible. It’s that part where the Vikings beat the Cowboys in Dallas that I’m not really convinced is going to be a thing whether they start Max Brosmer, J.J. McCarthy, or bring back Gus Frerotte at quarterback. Had the Cowboys lost to the Chiefs, two Lions losses plus two Seahawks wins would’ve been enough to send Seattle to the postseason.

There is, of course, a great preference for the Lions to beat the Los Angeles Rams, but there is a positive in this scenario in which the Rams winning helps the Seahawks get to the playoffs.

Seattle ultimately controls its path to the division title, although it’ll need a loss from the Chicago Bears in order to have the inside track on the No. 1 seed. First thing’s first is to just punch a ticket to the playoffs, which is inching closer to becoming reality.

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