The Portland Trail Blazers ended the 2024-25 season missing out on the Western Conference Play-In by three games. Their 36-46 record was an unexpected 15-game increase on the rebuilding franchise’s 2023-24 performance.
The Blazers were never expected to get close to this year’s NBA Playoffs. In fact, the initial preseason had the team eyeing the likely number one pick, Duke’s Cooper Flagg.
However, a rise in output, particularly on the defensive end, re-calibrated expectations midseason, notably after they won 10 of 11 games in January and February. Though the momentary success was fun to watch, this writer was notably concerned about the team’s worsening lottery odds.