In the early days of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers are turning heads and defying expectations. This young, rebuilding squad has burst onto the scene with a 4-2 record, securing the fourth-best mark in the stacked Western Conference. Their most eye-catching feat? Handing Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors their first loss of the regular season—a statement win that has even caught the attention of the veteran forward himself.
On The Draymond Green Show, Green didn’t hold back in praising the Blazers’ surprising surge. “Portland is a tough, tough game,” he said. “They’ve got a bunch of length, switchable guys. Defensively they are all 6’7, 6’8—can move their feet. Can guard positions one through five.” Green highlighted the invaluable leadership of newly acquired veteran Jrue Holiday, calling him a “true point guard” whose presence has elevated the team. “They’ve got centers, they’ve got wings. They’ve got young scoring wings that can go get it. They’ve got defenders,” he added, emphasizing why he believes this overlooked group will outperform preseason predictions. “That team is the young team that I think a lot of people aren’t looking out for that I think is going to have a good year.”
The Blazers’ momentum continued with a thrilling 109-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in an NBA Cup matchup, marking their fourth win in just six games. Leading the charge was Deni Avdija, Portland’s top scorer this season at 22.7 points per game, who dropped 23 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting. Rising star Shaedon Sharpe chipped in 19 points, signaling his potential for a breakout campaign, while Jerami Grant added 16 points off the bench. Six Blazers reached double figures in scoring, showcasing the team’s balanced attack.
Portland’s success isn’t just about offense—their defense has been a revelation. Bolstered by Holiday’s savvy in the backcourt and the impressive rookie contributions from second-year center Donovan Clingan, the Blazers boast the NBA’s fifth-best defensive rating at 110.1, trailing only powerhouses like the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (104.2), San Antonio Spurs (108.2), Miami Heat (108.9), and Nuggets. Toumani Camara, one of those versatile defenders Green raved about, has been a standout, earning a four-year, $82 million extension for his all-around play. Averaging 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, Camara embodies the Blazers’ ability to switch seamlessly across positions.
While it’s still early in the season, Portland’s blend of veteran poise and youthful energy suggests this rebuild is ahead of schedule. In a fiercely competitive West, the Trail Blazers are proving they’re no pushover—and as Draymond Green warns, ignoring them could be a costly mistake. Keep an eye on this squad; they might just be the surprise story of the year.