Furkan Korkmaz was the hero for the Philadelphia 76ers in their 129-128 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, coming up with the clutch bucket in crunch time.
With 0.4 seconds remaining and the 76ers trailing by two points, Korkmaz drained the huge three-pointer to give his team a one-point lead.
🚨 FURKAN KORKMAZ FOR THE @SIXERS WIN! 🚨 #PHILAUNITE pic.twitter.com/cyr3xHqF9G
— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2019
After Ben Simmons drained a pair of free throws to put the 76ers up 126-125, Anfernee Simons buried a three-pointer of his own to put the Blazers up two with 2.6 seconds remaining, but it was Korkmaz who had the final say, keeping the 76ers as the only remaining undefeated team in the league, with a 5-0 record.
It's the first time the 76ers have started a season 5-0 since the 2000/01 season.
The 76ers were without Joel Embiid (suspension), while the Blazers were without Hassan Whiteside (left knee) and Zach Collins (left shoulder) on the night, leaving the Blazers with a small-ball lineup with Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver starting in the frontcourt.
In the absence of Embiid, Al Horford led the frontline with 25 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two blocks, while Tobias Harris added 23 points and seven rebounds.
Ben Simmons recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, with an aggressive performance as he capitlaised on the Blazers' small lineup, getting to the rim with ease all night.
The gigantic 76ers squad created plenty of second-chance opportunities, outrebounding the Blazers on the offensive glass 13-4, with Kyle O'Quinn and Horford making the most of their size advantage.
The 76ers trailed by as many as 21 points, down 93-72 with 5:04 left in the third quarter, outscoring the Blazers 57-35 the rest of the way.
The @sixers overcame 21-point deficit to beat the @trailblazers, 129-128.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 3, 2019
It's the largest deficit overcome by the franchise since coming back from 24-point deficit against the Heat on Feb. 14, 2018 (2nd-largest deficit overcome by the franchise in the last five seasons). pic.twitter.com/A40pUVwgsC
Damian Lillard did his best to rally the Blazers, pouring in 33 points, nine assists and five rebounds, knocking down a sizzling 8-of-11 from the three-point line, while Rodney Hood added 25 points and CJ McCollum 16.
Dame Time in Portland 💥
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 3, 2019
Lillard hits his 8th three of the game! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/XOk6R61fme
The Blazers were lights out from three, burying 19-of-34, while Philly connected on 11-of-33 attempts from deep.
Rodney Hood says it was a contact injury. Banged knees with Simmons. In a lot of pain right now but doesn’t think it’s serious and hoping to play next game.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) November 3, 2019
Adding to the Trail Blazers' injury woes, Hood left the game with 4:29 remaining in regulation, falling to floor after coming off a hard screen from Simmons.