Trail Blazers 103, Wizards 96
LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and nine rebounds in a surprise appearance as host Portland knocked off Washington.
Aldridge decided earlier Saturday to play despite a torn ligament in his left thumb that the club said would sideline him 6-to-8 weeks. Damian Lillard added 20 points and seven assists and Wesley Matthews made five 3-pointers while scoring 19 points for the Trail Blazers, who made all 20 free-throw attempts.
John Wall had 25 points and nine assists and Paul Pierce scored 19 points for the Wizards. Bradley Beal scored 16 points and Nene added 15 for Washington, which blew a 10-point halftime lead.
The Wizards held an 85-81 lead after Wall’s basket with 4:28 remaining before Matthews hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start an 11-0 run and Lillard scored the final five to give Portland a seven-point lead with 2:48 left. A basket by Wall pulled Washington within 99-96 with 38.9 seconds to play before Lillard hit two free throws with 7.9 seconds to go and Aldridge added two more with 4.1 seconds left.
Aldridge had 10 first-quarter points after Portland recovered from missing its first nine shots and trailed Washington 32-20 after the opening quarter. The Wizards led 55-45 at the break and the Trail Blazers used an 11-2 run to take a one-point lead late in the third quarter before Washington took a 70-69 lead into the final stanza.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Trail Blazers announced Thursday that Aldridge would undergo surgery but Aldridge told reporters prior to Saturday’s game that the swelling decreased and his pain tolerance increased and he will attempt to play through the season if he can handle the pain. … Pierce had three of Washington’s five 3-point baskets and became the fourth player in NBA history to reach 2,000 for his career. … Trail Blazers SF Nicolas Batum (wrist) sat out after being injured Thursday.