PORTLAND, Ore. — The Blazers kicked off their 50th anniversary season Monday night with a preseason game against the Nuggets at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The coliseum was the Blazers' original home. Portland played its home games there for 25 seasons, and the location for the team's first preseason game was part of the team's celebration of its 50th anniversary.
The Blazers lost 105-94 in a game in which Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic didn't play for "rest management" and Blazers stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum sat on the bench for the entire second half.
Zach Collins was the only starter for the Blazers who scored in double figures. He finished with 10 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes. New center Hassan Whiteside had seven points and four rebounds in 12 minutes.
Off the bench, Mario Hezonja had 12 points and six rebounds, Skal Labissiere had a double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Anfernee Simons had 10 points for the Blazers
SEE THE BOX SCORE: Nuggets 105, Blazers 94
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Blazers open preseason at Memorial Coliseum
Paul Millsap scored 14 points for Denver, and Jamal Murray added 10. The Trail Blazers and Nuggets will face off again to start the regular season on Oct. 23.
Monday's contest was a vintage-inspired game with the team sporting throwback jerseys and playing in their original home, the glass palace.
Here's a look at how the game unfolded via social media posts from Art Edwards, Mike Benner and Mike Galimanis, who covered the game for KGW.
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