The Portland Trail Blazers have begun the new year with a jolt, thanks largely to the much-anticipated arrival of Gary Payton II.
Following Payton’s successful season debut, the Blazers open a three-game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
After signing as a free agent last June, Payton missed the season’s first 35 games while recovering from surgery for a core muscle injury. The shooting guard played 13 minutes in Monday’s 135-106 win over the Detroit Pistons, finishing with seven points, four assists and one steal.
Portland turned in a complete effort with Jerami Grant scoring 36 points, Anfernee Simons adding 30, and Damian Lillard recording 19 points, 10 assists and four steals.
The Blazers’ defense should benefit from Payton’s arrival. The seventh-year pro is known for his high energy on both ends of the floor.
Portland has won the first two meetings this season against Minnesota, which snapped a six-game losing streak with a 124-111 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
The short-handed Wolves were led by guard Anthony Edwards, who scored 29 points, including 15 in the third quarter.
Minnesota won despite playing without D’Angelo Russell (illness) and Naz Reid (low back spasms). Both are listed as day-to-day, while Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain) and Jordan McLaughlin (left calf strain) are out indefinitely. Taurean Prince (right shoulder subluxation) is questionable.
After their demoralizing losing skid, the Wolves responded with an inspired effort against Denver. Jaden McDaniels had 21 points and Kyle Anderson added 19.
Minnesota is looking to avenge a 133-112 loss to Portland on Dec. 12, when Lillard made 11 3-pointers and finished with 38 points. It was the second of the Wolves’ consecutive defeats to the Blazers in a back-to-back in the Pacific Northwest.
In 35 career games against Minnesota, Lillard has scored 20-plus points 26 times, including his last eight matchups.
The Blazers have also received steady production in the series from center Jusuf Nurkic, who has recorded double-doubles in five of his last eight games against the Wolves.
