Portland Trail Blazers: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers waves goodbye to the Oklahoma City Thunder after hitting a last second 37 foot game winner to end Game Five of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on April 23, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 118-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

2 of 11

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

10. Meyers Leonard‘s 30 points in Game 4 of conference finals

The wounds from this game may still be fresh. However, it still features one of the most unexpected individual playoff performances in team history. That alone made it good enough to land on this list.

Meyers Leonard paced Portland with 30 points and 12 rebounds in their season-ending 119-117 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. His scoring output wasn’t just a playoff career-high, but the most he has ever scored at the NBA or NCAA level.

Leonard’s night happened on 12-of-16 shooting. This included going 5-of-6 in the paint, 2-of-2 from mid-range and 5-of-8 from 3-point range. He also went 1-of-2 from the free throw line.

Part of the reason the Blazers still came up short despite Leonard’s big night is because 25 of his 30 points came in the first half. The Warriors managed to lock down the stretch-big after halftime. At first, Portland was able to get by without him, building its lead from four at half to 17. Ultimately, Golden State bounced back and took the game in OT.

Game 4 of the conference finals was a dispiriting end to a fun season. However, with time, this game will likely be remembered more for Meyers Leonard’s first half of a lifetime than the final result.

Home/Portland Trail Blazers