The Portland Trail Blazers secured another impressive victory in the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League on Tuesday, narrowly defeating the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 93-87. This win improved Portland's record to 2-1 in the tournament, although they still face challenges in advancing to the playoff bracket. Below are some key takeaways from the game.
After a couple of days of rest, Yang Hansen showcased a much better performance compared to his previous outing against the Memphis Grizzlies. In that game, he appeared fatigued and struggled with his pace. However, in this matchup, Yang delivered his best three-point shooting display of the Summer League, sinking 3 of 6 attempts from beyond the arc. He was also active on the defensive end, contributing 2 blocks, 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 27 minutes of play.
While Hansen faced challenges converting on one-on-one opportunities in the post, he continued to display the creativity and versatility that has made him one of the early stars of the Summer League. He recorded a couple of assists, although some of his passes were overly ambitious and not converted by his teammates. Overall, Yang's performance offered fans plenty to be optimistic about, showing that although he still has room for improvement, he is developing nicely.
After a disappointing performance against the Grizzlies, Rayan Rupert came back with a vengeance, leading all scorers with an impressive 24 points while also making a significant impact on defense. Rupert's full-court pressure was relentless, and he was particularly effective from long range, hitting 4 of 6 three-point attempts. His remarkable performance resulted in an astounding +28 plus/minus rating in a game that Portland only won by 6 points.
The Blazers also received valuable contributions from third-year guard D.J. Carton, who was a bright spot off the bench. Serving as a stabilizing force next to the more frenetic Sidy Cissoko, Carton scored 20 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, along with 3 steals. His performance certainly raises questions about his future opportunities in the league.
The matchup against New Orleans was one of the most anticipated contests for the Blazers in the Summer League, primarily due to the presence of dual lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, who were selected 7th and 13th overall, respectively. The Pelicans made a significant investment to acquire these players, trading an unprotected first-round pick in 2026 to the Atlanta Hawks to move up in the draft. The pressure was on for them to deliver, and both players rose to the occasion.
Queen proved to be a formidable interior presence, finishing the game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, often overpowering Yang in the paint. Meanwhile, Fears displayed a cautious yet effective approach, selectively showcasing his quickness and athleticism, which were evident whenever he decided to push the pace.
As the Portland Trail Blazers continue their journey in the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League, fans are hopeful that the team can build on this victory and improve their chances of advancing in the tournament. With players like Yang Hansen and Rayan Rupert stepping up, the future looks promising for the Blazers as they look to refine their skills and develop their young talent.
