The Portland Trail Blazers have advanced to the NBA’s Western Conference Finals to face the Golden State Warriors. The schedule for the best-of-seven series has been announced. Per ESPN.com and NBA.com, the schedule looks like this, with all times Pacific: Game 1 will commence on Tuesday, May 14th, 6:00 PM on ESPN, at Golden State Game 2 will be Thursday, May 16th, 6:00 PM on ESPN at Golden State Game 3 will be Saturday, May 18th, 6:00 PM on ESPN at Portland Game 4 will be Monday, May 20th 6:00 PM on ESPN at Portland Game 5, if necessary, will be Wednesday, May 22nd 6:00 PM on ESPN at Golden State Game 6, if necessary, will be Friday, May 24th 6:00 PM on ESPN at Portland Game 7, if necessary, will be Sunday, May 26th 6:00 PM on ESPN at Golden State In other words, beginning Tuesday, the Blazers and Warriors will play every other day at 6:00, Pacific, televised on ESPN, until the series has a winner. If any updates come, we’ll let you know.<doc-sep>The Portland Trail Blazers rallied from down as many as 17 points and stormed back to defeat the Denver Nuggets in Game 7, 100-96, in their second round playoff series. The Blazers were led by CJ McCollum who’s nearly-perfect game was the difference in the contest and sends the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals. Basketball fans in Portland, Denver and around the world logged on to share their thoughts on Game 6 on social media. Topics have ranged from this becoming known as “The CJ McCollum Game,” Evan Turner’s incredible play down the stretch and the Blazers being in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 and more. Media members, NBA players and basketball fans online brought everything from analysis to criticisms - but more importantly - the best memes, jokes and photoshops you may have missed while watching the game. Here’s a look at what they’re saying about ... ... the instant reaction from the Trail Blazers’ Game 7 win over the Nuggets: The celebration in the Blazers locker room can be heard quite easily well outside of it. They are making some noise in there right now. — Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 12, 2019 The Trail Blazers reach their first Conference Finals since 2000 ⏮ pic.twitter.com/VOX7n4bCr8 — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 12, 2019 Kicked them right in the shin. — WazMixPix (@WazMixPix) May 12, 2019 Hard to believe Paul Allen doesn’t get to see this postseason run — erin connelly (@erincconn) May 10, 2019 Incredible that Portland is in the Western Conference finals and I still hear from friends in Turkey that they continue to have trouble seeing their guy @eneskanter and the Blazers ... — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 12, 2019 Blazers continue to amaze. Great leadership with CJ & Lillard on the court & a great coach & his staff off the court. Too bad NBA doesn't give them time to get ready for finals. — Mike Rice (@mikerice6) May 12, 2019 BLAZERS WIN! @Dame_Lillard's mom shares her excitement after getting a Game 7 win on #MothersDay ❤️️🖤 #RipCity pic.twitter.com/UVjRdKVk6f — KATU News (@KATUNews) May 12, 2019 Damian Lillard with some love for Mom on Mother's Day after the big win! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/sd0c4NKsTf — NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) May 12, 2019 Terry Stotts is heading to the Western Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/gKNH8UjFUI — AJ McCord (@AJ_McCord) May 12, 2019 The Portland Trail Blazers are in the Western Conference Finals. And that basically changes the narrative about Damian Lillard, Terry Stotts, and Neil Olshey from this point on. — Timmay (@pdxTimmay) May 12, 2019 I'm most happy for Terry Stotts. Not sure if there's a more deserving coach, and he's an even better person. — Cody Sharrett (@CodySharrett) May 12, 2019 YES YES YES YES YES YES YES — Ian Karmel (@IanKarmel) May 12, 2019 I'd be mad as hell if I spent game 7 ticket money to watch Evan Turner drop the FTs and get the board that locked up the season ending loss for my team. — Beyonce has an uncle named Larry Beyince. Bruh.... (@DragonflyJonez) May 12, 2019 Blazers have been THE most exciting part of the playoffs wow — Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) May 12, 2019 Blazers supporting cast doesn't care that role players are supposed to play better at home. — Tas Melas (@TasMelas) May 12, 2019 Mom would be making me wash my mouth out with soap by now. F*****!!!!!&&&$$$$%###. pic.twitter.com/73e6m5Ffae — WazMixPix (@WazMixPix) May 12, 2019 ... CJ McCollum’s heroic performance to lead the Blazers to victory. CJ McCollum. That's it. CJ McCollum. — Casey Holdahl (@CHold) May 12, 2019 What CJ just did on the road in a game 7 is definitely one of the best playoff performances over the last decade. Salute @CJMcCollum. That’s two of those for the Blazers in these playoffs so far (Dame in game 5 of round 1). — Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) May 12, 2019 What a freakin game. This @nuggets vs @trailblazers Game is something else. A nail biter. And you know who the MVP is of this game? @CJMcCollum. What a phenomenal performance. He’s doing it all right now. — Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 12, 2019 If CJ isn’t EVERY SINGLE BIT as good as he has been in this series, the Blazers lose in 5. Unbelievable, incredible, unstoppable series. — Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 12, 2019 That's how brutal the West is ... CJ McCollum still waiting for his first All-Star nod. Crazy — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 12, 2019 I-405 is hereby renamed the McCollum Freeway — BIG BURGER BRAND 🍔 (@NNanpei) May 12, 2019 C.J. McCollum’s having himself an afternoon. — Peter Nygaard (@RetepAdam) May 12, 2019 This is seriously threatening to become the CJ McCollum Game. — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 12, 2019 CJ McCollum this series pic.twitter.com/3fLZCe2Ab0 — Yu (@YucciMane) May 12, 2019 There should be some kind of penalty for getting chase down blocked by CJ McCollum. The embarrassment itself isn’t nearly enough. — Myles Brown (@mdotbrown) May 12, 2019 Didn't know CJ had that in his bag .. — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 12, 2019 Dame making great basketball plays. Going down to the wire. — nick vanexel (@vanexel31) May 12, 2019 Goddamn CJ with the soul-snatching block. — Brandon Goldner (@GoldnerPDX) May 12, 2019 CJ in the second half like #RipCity pic.twitter.com/vrFDGCaPpC — Nik Streng (@NikStreng) May 12, 2019 BUILD @CJMcCollum A STATUE IN PIONEER SQUARE! — Hamed Aleaziz (@Haleaziz) May 12, 2019 CJ McCollum... 🥴🥴 — Jontay Porter (@JontayPorter) May 12, 2019 Me looking for the “trade CJ” crowd pic.twitter.com/C5LFMDKBRq — My Full Name is Michael Francis Acker (@mikeacker) May 12, 2019 Y'all still fighting the mid range or nah? CJ has been carrying them tonight from that area.. — 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 12, 2019 CJ McCollum...he made 17 shots..only one 3pt shot...He made a ton of mid range pull ups. Like he was doing a drill. 💯The mid range jumper lives. The mid range jumper will not be televised... — MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) May 12, 2019 Hey big shout outs to Jennifer #RipCity — Gregory McKelvey (@GregoryMcKelvey) May 12, 2019 . @CJMcCollum the next time he sees Jennifer 😅 pic.twitter.com/C0d7V5ahfP — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 12, 2019 you did this Jennifer — CJ McWobum (@WorldWideWob) May 12, 2019 I hope Jennifer is watching — /r/NBA (@NBA_Reddit) May 12, 2019 JENNIFER, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU pic.twitter.com/kh5uYN36Hj — Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) May 12, 2019 damn Jennifer he's really trying — Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) May 12, 2019 CJ is trying his a$$ off!! — Jennifer Williams (@ChocDelight1980) May 12, 2019 Urkel after smashing Laura for the first time pic.twitter.com/1tVGwPABPe — Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 12, 2019 CJ MCCOLLUM IS GOING TO MAKE ALL OF THE MID-RANGE JUMPERS HE WANTS AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT — The Crossover (@TheCrossover) May 12, 2019 CJ proving the mid range game is still fully in effect in this league! — Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) May 12, 2019 Love the way CJ is playing in this game. He’s been a big winner of these playoffs. Portland needs Hood or Curry to make some shots as the third scorer or this is gonna be a blowout. — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 12, 2019 CJ keeping Portland in it. At what point does "underrated" become "properly rated"? Because McCollum is the real deal and has been for some time. — James Hsu (@james_hsu) May 12, 2019 The Blazers offense currently: CJ. Fin. — Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 12, 2019 Lillard now 0-5 from the field here in the 1st. If not for CJ McCollum this would be very ugly for Portland right now. Nuggets hitting another gear here at home. — Stefano Fusaro (@FusaroESPN) May 12, 2019 Feels like CJ McCollum has all of Portland's points — Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) May 12, 2019 CJ McCollum is a problem. https://t.co/u0gxSfamCR — J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) May 12, 2019 ... Terry Stotts starting the game with Al-Farouq Aminu and Maurice Harkless who were terrible to start the game. If the Blazers continue to get nothing out of Aminu and Harkless it’s going to be difficult to win. — MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) May 12, 2019 How much longer do we have to watch Harkless and Aminu do NOTHING until stubborn stotts makes a change. Unbelievable #RipCity — Chad Doing 🎙 (@ChadinRipCity) May 12, 2019 Moe Harkless hit the side of the backboard from 3 feet. Hopefully that’s the last time we see him. Get Collins & Hood in the game. #justsayin #ripcity — Jason Peterson (@jpsperspective) May 12, 2019 Harkless hasn't done a single thing to justify being on the court yet. — BLAZERS IN SEVEN (@palmquac) May 12, 2019 Aminu and Harkless man.... this is just a horrible matchup. No offense, no defense. Another hole with them in the lineup. — Alex Tam (@alexctam) May 12, 2019 Gotta make adjustments early. Rodney Hood and Zach Collins, please. — Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) May 12, 2019 ... and some funny general tweets before and during the game from media members, basketball fans in Portland and from around the league, about the Nuggets and Blazers facing off in the Western Conference semis. One thing about the nba you can’t take for granted your opportunity. I keep hearing Denver is the fourth youngest team in the league. Doesn’t matter. I went to the conference finals at 25 and 26. Didn’t get back till 34. Both teams today have a great opportunity! — Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) May 12, 2019 Portland and Denver deserve this spotlight — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 12, 2019 – Tim Brown, The Oregonian/OregonLive | @timfsbrown Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox<doc-sep>
The Portland Trail Blazers met with the media today before flying out for their pivotal Game 7 matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. When speaking with reporters, Damian Lillard was asked about the questionable “kick him in the shin” comments from Denver Nuggets radio personality Scott Hastings that came towards the end of Game 6. “That’s B.S. You don’t say stuff like that,” Lillard said. “In the league, we’re obviously competitors and we’re trying to put an end to their season and they’re trying to do the same to us, but you don’t wish injury or harm to people. When you say stuff like that, it’s not an accident or a joke. I think that says something about the kind of person he is to make a comment like that, especially when he can’t hear a word that Nurk is saying on the bench. He don’t know what’s being said, he doesn’t know what type of energy he had on the bench to assume he was trying to be tough, or whatever he said ... It was unacceptable, it’s B.S. and hopefully there are consequences.” Hastings was talking about the war of words exchanged between players when he noticed injured Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic, who arrived on the Blazers bench at halftime to cheer on his team, acting like a “tough guy." Then Hastings remarked that someone should “kick him in the shin” knowing that Nurkic injured his left leg just over a month ago when his shin essentially snapped in half during a game. The remark was met with laughter from his counterpart Jason Kosmicki. Game 7 tips off from the Pepsi Center in Denver at 12:30 p.m. PT on Sunday. – Tim Brown, The Oregonian/OregonLive | @timfsbrown Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox