Matisse Thybulle's defence is a welcome sight in Portland

Onwards to the Trail Blazers.

Philadelphia fans could be forgiven for pulling their hair out watching Matisse Thybulle make his debut for the Portland Trail Blazers. Thybulle, a career 33% shooter from three-point range, scored 14 points and converted on four long-range attempts during his first showing as a Blazer. Playing alongside two offensively skilled, yet defensively outmatched, guards in Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, Thybulle’s place on this Portland became clear immediately. The offence was a welcome and unexpected addition.

Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress

Matisse Thybulle’s Trail Blazers debut: 26 minutes 14 Points 4/6 on 3s 6 Rebounds 2 Assists. 3 Blocks 1 Steal “He’s a real defender.” - Damian Lillard.

There are valid reasons why the Sixers decided to move on from Thybulle at the NBA trade deadline. The scoring output delivered on his Portland debut is at the upper end of anything Thybulle did in Philadelphia – the Australian Boomer bronze medallist has only once made more threes in the game. He previously scored 14 or more points in a game just four times during his Sixers career. This means the standard caveats regarding sample size are relevant - Thybulle cooled off considerably during his second game as a Blazer, scoring just two points as he was an afterthought on offence.

While Thybulle remains a long way shot of being called an offensive player and hot shooting start to his career in Portland is the outlier, such a showing also reinforces the potential he has on an NBA floor if his game can balance out.