Trail Blazers rally from 22 down to hand Thunder their first loss

Deni Avdija had 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers erased a 22-point deficit Wednesday night in a 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Deni Avdija had 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers erased a 22-point deficit Wednesday night in a 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jrue Holiday added 22 points, including two clutch free throws that put Portland ahead 121-118 with six seconds left. Jerami Grant scored 20 off the bench as the Blazers handed the defending NBA champions their first loss of the season.

With the Thunder (8-1) trailing by three, Isaiah Joe was fouled on a jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining. After a replay review showed Joe's toe was on the 3-point line, he made his first free throw but missed the second on purpose. Oklahoma City came up empty on a last-second tip-in attempt.

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Aaron Wiggins added 27. Oklahoma City was without several players who played in Tuesday night's win at the Los Angeles Clippers, as Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort and Alex Caruso all sat out.

Holiday's jumper gave Portland (5-3) its first lead at 97-96 with 6:44 left. After the Blazers forced a backcourt violation on Oklahoma City's next possession, Holiday made a 3-pointer to put Portland up 100-96.