Ayton’s Big Day

The New Providence-Born Big Man Drops 30 on The Knicks

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Deandre Ayton has been on a tear from last month’s wrist injury; last night was no exception. 

The Portland Trailblazers center scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and a block as the Blazers fell to the Knicks 101-93. 

GET 🆙 DA pic.twitter.com/EzCVZVIV8E

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 15, 2024

His points came on 12-21 shooting, and he even got busy from long-range, knocking down his lone three-point attempt. 

He can do it all 🎯 pic.twitter.com/iYmbJRnl4x

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 15, 2024

He had quite a few highlight plays in the game.

AYTON GO ZOOOOOOM pic.twitter.com/fhocNIaBwx

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 15, 2024

SENT THAT STRAIGHT TO ASTORIA pic.twitter.com/dTHe1qkCSN

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 15, 2024

Ayton’s latest effort is the latest in a trend as his scoring average has gone up every month since the season started. They took a big leap in the past couple of weeks as he went from averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds in February to dropping 29 and nearly 17 rebounds in March.

Despite his heroic efforts, the Blazers are 2-2 this month and they’ve lost every game that he played in February and they have one of the worst records in the league, owning a 19 and 47 record. 

Ayton had little help in this game with Dalano Banton chipping in 16 points on 6-20 shooting. Rookie point guard Scoot Henderson had 12 points on 4-13 shooting along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Knicks all-star point guard Jalen Brunson had himself a night as well, scoring 45 points to get a win for his team, who led by 15 at the half and never gave the lead back.

Ayton and the Blazers will take the court on Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.