Blazers Blown Out vs. Hawks

The Portland Trail Blazers are stuck in the loss column after falling to the Atlanta Hawks by a score of 135-101 inside State Farm Arena.

The Blazers fell behind double digits early and were never able to recover from there. It was tough to watch at times, but it's a sign that the team is in need of getting healthy. The Blazers fell behind by 19 points at the end of the first quarter. While they were able to win the second and third quarters combined, they were outscored 32-16 in the final frame to turn a tough loss into a massive blow out.

Blazers Suffer Big Loss vs. Hawks

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson grabs a rebound past Portland Trail Blazers guard Vit Krejci. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Jrue Holiday was the leading scorer for the Blazers with 23 points, while starting center Donovan Clingan had a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Former Hawks guard Vit Krejci scored 14 points off the bench while Blake Wesley added 12 of his own. Scoot Henderson joined them in double figures with 11 points.

The Hawks had starting center Onyeka Okongwu drop 25. Jonathan Kuminga continued his strong start with the Hawks with 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Hawks guard and Blazers legend CJ McCollum scored 19 against his former team. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 15 points, while Dyson Daniels had 12. Backup center Jock Landale had 14 points off the bench.

It's a tough loss for the Blazers, who fall to 1-2 on their road trip, but this is what happens when teams aren't healthy and playing against full squads. The Blazers played without Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe among others and it really affected the team. Portland beat Atlanta earlier in the year by double digits and Sharpe led the team in scoring with 24 points.

The team also lost Kris Murray in the first quarter. He played just four minutes before being subbed out. He did not return to the game due to an illness. That was also a massive loss for the Blazers, who have been dealing with a bug in the locker room throughout the road trip. Clingan and Sidy Cissoko have been ill on the trip, and now it appears Murray is the next to catch the sickness.

The Blazers are back nationally on Wednesday when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM PT inside FedEx Forum in Memphis. Fans can watch the game on Rip City Sports Network or stream it on NBA League Pass.