PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) \u2014 The Portland Trail Blazers are bound for the NBA playoffs for the first time in five years!<\/p>\n
The Blazers are facing off against the Spurs in San Antonio on Sunday. Ahead of the playoff action, Trail Blazers President of Business Operations Dewayne Hankins spoke with KATU News.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlazer-mania is back in full force, which is really exciting for our fans and for us,\u201d said Hankins.<\/p>\n
You can watch the full interview below, which includes a question on whether we could see Damian Lillard on the court:<\/p>\n
While the blazers did make the playoffs in the 2021 season, pandemic restrictions meant that fans could not fill the Moda Center for games. These will be the first full-house playoffs games since the 2018-19 season.<\/p>\n
KATU Sports Director Guillermo Motta asked Hankins about the strength of Deni Avdija on the team this season, following his trade to Portland from the Wizards in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time that move was maybe viewed as not the best move for the team. And to watch him play on Tuesday night and put up 41 points, and get to the rim in whatever way he wanted,\u201d Hankins said. \u201cIt\u2019s always a question of whether these guys can bring the same level of play they do in the regular season, and all of our fans saw \u2013 and the national media saw that he\u2019s ready for the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hankins said the team welcomes the national attention for the team as they make this playoff run.<\/p>\n