Simons drops 40

Portland is back in the postseason for the first time since 2021 after beating Phoenix 119-111 in the Western Conference 7-versus-8 play-in game on April 14. (espn.com) Anfernee Simons scored 40 points for Portland, the burst that carried the Trail Blazers past a Phoenix team that finished the regular season as the West’s No. 7 seed at 45-37. (espn.com) (basketball-reference.com) Portland entered the tournament as the No. 8 seed at 42-40, and the win sent the Trail Blazers into a first-round series against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs. Phoenix dropped into the final West play-in game on Friday, April 17, against the winner of Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors. (nba.com) (basketball-reference.com) The play-in is the National Basketball Association’s four-team race for the last two playoff spots in each conference. The No. 7 seed hosts the No. 8 seed for an immediate playoff berth, while the loser gets one more home game against the No. 9-No. 10 winner. (nba.com) That format turned one April game in Phoenix into Portland’s biggest night in five years. The Trail Blazers had not reached the postseason since 2021 before clinching the No. 8 seed on the final day of the regular season. (nba.com) Portland got here by finishing in a tie with the Los Angeles Clippers at 42-40 and claiming the No. 8 spot anyway. Phoenix finished three games better at 45-37 and earned home court, but one loss was enough to hand away the No. 7 line. (basketball-reference.com) The Suns still have another chance on Friday because the play-in gives the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds a second path. Portland does not need it now; Simons’ 40-point night pushed the Trail Blazers straight into the bracket. (nba.com) (espn.com)