Damian Lillard is the heart of the Portland Trail Blazers, but Enes Kanter gave them some soul against a familiar opponent at the start of the Western Conference postseason.
The Trail Blazers gave their hometown crowd something to cheer for on Sunday afternoon. By defeating the always-dangerous Oklahoma City Thunder, 104-99, in Game 1 of an opening-round NBA playoff series, Portland will take a 1-0 lead into Game 2.
With Lillard playing a major role in the win, it was Kanter — an unlikely presence — who took over the game. Kanter, who had spent two seasons with the Thunder, poured in 20 points alongside 18 rebounds to lead his current team to victory over his former club.
Lillard knew who made the biggest difference for Portland in Game 1, and it wasn't Dame himself.
Blazers' Damian Lillard on Enes Kanter (20 points, 18 rebounds) in Game 1 win over Thunder: "He was the MVP of the game." pic.twitter.com/7xR0XHQDx4
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 14, 2019
Enes Kanter was acquired by the Trail Blazers midway through the 2018-19 regular season from the lowly New York Knicks. Prior to spending two years in New York as a member of the Knicks, Kanter suited up for both the Thunder and the Utah Jazz. Originally selected by the Jazz in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, he was then traded to the Thunder before ultimately being shipped out of town twice more — to the Knicks and then the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers will need this continued production from the 26-year-old Kanter. Portland will be without big man Jusuf Nurkic for the entirety of the postseason. Nurkic was notably lost for the remainder of the season a few weeks ago after suffering a gruesome leg injury.
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