Cameron Boozer Posts Historic Triple-Double as Grizzlies Defeat Trail Blazers

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cameron Boozer made history on Thursday night, becoming the second-youngest player in NBA history to post a triple-double during a 124-103 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. At 19 years and 103 days old, Boozer orchestrated the dominant performance with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, improving his team's record to a spotless 5-0 at the start of the regular season.

The matchup was heavily billed as a reunion for Portland guard Ja Morant against his former team. Morant, who was drafted second overall by Memphis in 2019 and spent seven years with the franchise before an offseason trade, contributed 14 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. However, his night ended prematurely when he exited in the fourth quarter due to a hamstring injury.

Reflecting on his milestone performance and the team's strong start, Boozer remarked, "It's nice. I'm going to keep going. Season just started, we've got 77 more – so a lot more to come." The young forward has quickly adjusted to the professional level, recently claiming the top spot on the league's debut rookie ladder after stringing together impressive performances out of the gate.

The contest remained closely contested through the first half, with the teams tied 25-25 after the opening quarter and locked at 58-58 at halftime. The turning point arrived in the third period when Memphis orchestrated a decisive 10-0 run that transformed a slim two-point advantage into an 87-75 lead. The Grizzlies ultimately outscored the Trail Blazers 66-45 in the second half, sealing the blowout with a 33-20 margin in the final period.

Memphis showcased remarkable roster depth alongside Boozer's historic night, with a total of eight players scoring in double figures. Isaiah Stewart led the bench effort with 18 points on efficient shooting, while Cedric Coward added 17 points and Zach Edey contributed 13 points to help wear down the Portland defense.

On the opposing side, Portland struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 12 of their 49 three-point attempts for a 24.5 percent success rate. Deni Avdija paced the Trail Blazers with 24 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, but the squad ultimately lacked the offensive firepower to keep pace with the undefeated visitors.

The victory leaves the Memphis Grizzlies alongside the Houston Rockets as the only remaining unbeaten teams in the early weeks of the NBA season. Meanwhile, the loss dropped Portland to 3-1 as they prepare to visit Utah on Saturday, while the Grizzlies will travel to face the Sacramento Kings the same evening.