Blazers Head Coach Tiago Splitter Makes History After Play-in Win

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter made history on Tuesday night after mentoring the squad to a play-in tournament win over the Phoenix Suns. 

With the victory, Splitter became the first Brazilian head coach to lead the team to the playoffs, where they will face the San Antonio Spurs, his former team as a player. 

Splitter took pride in the achievement as he looks forward to continuing the team’s postseason goals in the playoffs. 

“It’s a special moment for me and for Brazil, representing Brazilian basketball on this platform that is the NBA. It’s a huge pride,” he said.

“A lot of people are calling me and sending messages: ‘Keep representing Brazil there, let’s go strong’. I think it was a long journey to be here, but as I said, proud to be able to represent our colors,” he added. 

Splitter took over the interim head coaching job for the Blazers in the second regular-season game of the team, after former head coach Chauncey Billups was relieved of his duties following his arrest over alleged involvement in a betting scandal. 

Splitter then led the team to a 42-39 record, the eighth-best in the Western Conference, before outlasting the Phoenix Suns in the play-in game to secure a spot in the playoffs. 

Now, he faces his former squad, the Spurs, where he won his only NBA championship in 2014, alongside the likes of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and a young Kawhi Leonard. 

Tiago Splitter Reflects on Blazers’ Resiliency In Play-In Win Against the Suns

GettyHead coach Tiago Splitter lauds the Portland Trail Blazers’ resiliency in play-in win over the Phoenix Suns.

Tiago Splitter was proud of how the Trail Blazers responded in pressure-packed moments against the Phoenix Suns in their play-in game. 

According to him, it showed the resiliency that has been built throughout the season.

“It’s a culmination of a tough year, but this group is very resilient. I think we showed that in the fourth quarter,” he said after the win. “I’m happy for the players. They went through a lot throughout the season, and, being in the playoffs, it’s a great accomplishment.”

The last time the Blazers were in the playoffs was in 2021. They have been a rebuilding team before this year. 

Portland leaned on the heroics of Deni Avdija against the Suns, putting up 41 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds. Avdija has never played in a playoff game before. 

Just like Avdija, the team also has playoff first-timers Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, and Shaedon Sharpe, on top of playoff veterans Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant, and Robert Williams. 

“They’re going to experience something that some of that never experienced before…It’s a hue thing,” Splitter said on his team’s young core. 

Blazers Will Not Return To Portland Until April 24

GettyPortland fans will have to wait until April 24 to see the Trail Blazers play on their home floor.

The Trail Blazers will not be playing on their home floor until April 24 as they will play the first two games of the playoffs in San Antonio. 

Games 1 and 2 will be played on the Spurs’ homecourt, before the series swings to Portland for Game 3 on April 24. Game 4 will then happen on April 26 in Portland. 

If needed, San Antonio will host Game 5, while Game 6 will be in Portland. Game 7 will then be in the Spurs’ home turf, if necessary. 

The Blazers have only won once against the Spurs in their three meetings in the regular season. 

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