Carmelo Anthony hit the game-sealing 3-pointer against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday to send the Portland Trail Blazers to the 2020 playoffs.

Anthony has hit a few clutch shots in the Orlando bubble, something he's used to by now. It's why the Blazers veteran played down the narrative of him being back.

Article Continues Below
More Trail Blazers News
Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) reacts after helping secure a 121-119 overtime win against the Phoenix Suns at Moda Center.
Deandre Ayton becomes top free agent center after Blazers contract buyoutMalik Brown ·
Yang Hansen stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Trail Blazers
Blazers rookie Yang Hansen drops all-time quote on life away from basketballZachary Howell ·
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Jase Richardson talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Orlando Magic’s Jase Richardson headlines 5 biggest steals of 2025 NBA Draft Round 1Rishav Bhat ·
Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) reacts against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena.
Blazers make swift move on Arizona star after NBA DraftAlex House ·
Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) and forward Grant Williams (12) react in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat during game five of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden.
Celtics’ trade proposal for Robert Williams brings much-needed depthBailey Bassett ·
Deandre Ayton photoshopped in Hornets jersey with number.
Hornets’ trade proposal for Deandre Ayton finds Mark Williams replacementBailey Bassett ·

Carmelo Anthony was out of the NBA for more than a year before the Blazers signed him in November of 2019. Many thought his 10-game stint with the Houston Rockets in 2018-19 was going to be the last run he would get in the NBA.

Fortunately for the future Hall of Famer, the Blazers gave him a non-guaranteed deal and he played well enough for the team to guarantee the contract for the rest of the season.

As the campaign continued and Anthony got his legs and timing back, he has resembled the version fans saw for years with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks — just in a lesser volume since Damian Lillard is the No. 1 option on the Blazers.

For Portland to upset LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, Anthony will have to improve his efficiency and somewhat turn back the clock even more. The Blazers need Melo to score a lot so James gets tired on defense, but the team also needs him to play better defense so The King is not scoring with ease on his end.