Trail Blazers Outlast Warriors 127-123 in Fourth-Quarter Surge at Chase Center

The Portland Trail Blazers pulled off a stunning 127-123 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco — a game that turned on a furious fourth-quarter rally and a career night from rookie guard Caleb Love. The win snapped a three-game road skid for Portland and handed Golden State its first home loss of the season, turning what looked like a comfortable Warriors victory into a chaotic, nail-biting finish. With 38 points in the final quarter alone, the Blazers outscored the Warriors by seven in the last 12 minutes, a turnaround that left fans stunned and analysts scrambling for answers.

Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals the Win

Down by 11 entering the fourth, the Trail Blazers didn’t just claw back — they exploded. Caleb Love hit three three-pointers in the final 4:30, including a deep 28-footer at 2:50 left that tied the game at 117. Then, with 1:12 remaining and Portland up by two, he drained a step-back from the corner that sent the visiting bench into a frenzy. The Warriors, meanwhile, went cold. Stephen Curry missed his final four shots, including two wide-open threes in the final minute. Draymond Green, who had been a defensive anchor all night, committed his fifth foul with 2:17 left, forcing him to the bench just as Golden State needed him most.

Donovan Clingan, the 7-foot-2 rookie center, was the unsung hero. He finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks — including a chase-down swat on Moses Moody that preserved Portland’s lead with 58 seconds left. His assist to Love on the go-ahead three was the kind of play that doesn’t show up in box scores but wins games. "He’s got instincts beyond his years," said Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups afterward. "He sees the floor like a point guard trapped in a giant’s body."

Confusion in the Stats: Errors, Misidentifications, and Mixed Sources

The game’s box score was muddied by conflicting reports. ESPN Deportes listed Al Horford as scoring a layup for Portland — a glaring error, since Horford plays for the Boston Celtics. Similarly, the report credited Jimmy Butler III with 13 points, but Jimmy Butler plays for the Miami Heat. The name likely refers to Jalen Williams, Portland’s 22-year-old wing, who actually scored 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Will Richard, listed with 2 points, appears to be a misstatement — the player in question was likely Dyson Daniels, Portland’s defensive stopper, who had exactly two points and six rebounds.

YouTube highlights from KJGG Sports, which went viral with 21,000 views, falsely claimed players like "Sissoko Adeni Abdia" and "Tummani Kamara" started for Portland — names that don’t exist on any official NBA roster. The video also incorrectly stated Love "beat the buzzer" with a three-pointer, though the game clock showed 1:12 remaining. These errors, while harmless in the grand scheme, highlight how quickly misinformation spreads in the digital age — especially when fans are hungry for highlights.

Warriors’ Home Dominance Crumbles

Golden State entered the night 5-0 at Chase Center, their best home start since 2022. They had been averaging 129.4 points per game at home, led by Curry’s 29.1-point pace. But Portland’s defense, anchored by Clingan and Daniels, held them to just 31 points in the final quarter — their lowest scoring quarter of the season. Curry finished with 28 points, but shot 8-of-24 from the field and 2-of-10 from three. His frustration was visible, especially after missing a wide-open three with 1:45 left that would’ve tied the game.

"We had chances," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. "We just didn’t make the plays when it mattered. We got too comfortable. And when you do that against a team like Portland — especially on the road — they’ll make you pay."

What This Means for the West Race

Portland improved to 7-9, pulling within 1.5 games of the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The win wasn’t just about morale — it was a statement. The Blazers have been rebuilding since Damian Lillard’s departure, but with Love, Clingan, and Daniels emerging as core pieces, they’re no longer just a developmental team. They’re a threat.

For Golden State, the loss is a red flag. At 9-9, they’re already clinging to the seventh seed. With the Lakers, Suns, and Nuggets all surging, the Warriors can’t afford home losses — especially not to teams with losing records. Their next three games are against the Jazz, Kings, and Thunder — all playoff-caliber teams. If they can’t fix their fourth-quarter execution, their playoff hopes could slip away before Christmas.

Next Steps and Scheduling Errors

Despite ESPN’s clear reporting that the game occurred on November 21, Sofascore.com listed a rematch on November 22 — an impossible scheduling conflict. The NBA’s official schedule shows the next meeting between these teams won’t be until January 14, 2026, in Portland. The error on Sofascore, while minor, underscores how automated data feeds can propagate misinformation. Fans checking standings on their phones may have seen a phantom game and assumed the Warriors had played twice in 24 hours.

For Portland, the focus shifts to their next game — a back-to-back in Sacramento on Sunday. For Golden State, the challenge is internal: How do you fix a team that plays well for three quarters but folds under pressure? The answer might lie in their bench. Gary Payton II and Brandin Podziemski played 38 minutes each, while the Warriors’ reserves combined for just 11 points. That’s not sustainable.

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