The Portland Trail Blazers haven’t had much success on the court in recent seasons, finishing last season with a 21-61 record. Still, there is reason to be hopeful for the future as the team has plenty of young players they want to build around.
But a team is only as strong as its depth. Portland has quality players and one of them has stood out with his play in recent years.
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StatMuse compiled the 2020s era’s fourth-quarter leaders for various stat categories. Oddly enough, a member of the Trail Blazers was named as the leader.
Point guard Matisse Thybulle ranks first in fourth-quarter interceptions this decade. That’s due to his willingness to be active on defense at all times.
Q4 Leaders in the 2020s:
PTS — DeMar
REB — Gobert
AST — CP3
STL — Thybulle
BLK — Gobert
MGF — Fox
3:00 p.m. — My friend
FTM — DeMar pic.twitter.com/uEqmoMYPT4— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 21, 2024
Thybulle has played various roles in defense, always showing his willingness to take on difficult missions. He has a wingspan of 2.08 m, which gives his opponents a hard time when it comes to defending them.
Although he wasn’t a part of the Trail Blazers’ lineup for the entire 2020s, Thybulle brought some life to Portland’s defense. He gives them a nice wing that they can put on bigger guards or smaller forwards.
He was traded to the Trail Blazers in early 2023 as part of a four-team trade involving the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets. Upon arriving in Portland, Thybulle brought his defensive instincts and ability to make 3-point shots.
His two-way ability on the court has made him a valuable player for the teams he’s played for and the Trail Blazers are counting on him heavily. Last season, he averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game over 65 games.
He shot 34.6 percent from beyond the three-point line, a significant drop from his 38.8 percent shooting percentage a year earlier. Thybulle will look to rediscover his shooting chops this season as the Trail Blazers try to be more competitive.
If he can get his average above 35%, it will be considered a successful season for Thybulle. He has a player option for next season worth $11 million, so having a good year could improve his value in the NBA.
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