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Nico Gonzalez se rompe y no jugarĂĄ las semifinales de Champions contra el Arsenal.
Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers embraces the underdog label as they enter the 2026 NBA Playoffs as a No. 7 seed. He believes this mindset provides an advantage against stronger opponents.
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle is embracing a label many teams try to avoid: the underdog. As Portland enters the 2026 NBA Playoffs as a No. 7 seed, Thybulle made it clear that being viewed as an underdog isnât a slightâitâs part of the identity the team is leaning into, because it gives them an advantage over their more alpha colleagues.
Speaking to Brandon âScoop Bâ Robinson ahead of a first-round matchup with the San Antonio Spurs, Thybulle framed the moment as an opportunity rather than a disadvantage.
The two-time All-Defensive selection is expected to anchor Portlandâs perimeter defense in a series where slowing down elite scorers could determine whether the Blazers can pull off an upset.
Portlandâs underdog status has been building for years. Since moving on from franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard, the organization has shifted toward a younger, developing core while navigating financial limitations and roster turnover.
For Thybulle, impact isnât measured by traditional metrics. His value has long lived outside the box score, rooted in defensive disruption and anticipation.
âItâs a little bit of both,â he said when describing his approach. âItâs instinct that you accumulate over years⊠and trying to read people. I feel that I know what theyâre trying to do even though theyâre not telegraphing it.â
That ability to process tendencies in real time has made him a key piece in Portlandâs playoff strategy.
Off the court, Thybulle credits his balance to creative outlets like photography and writing, which he says allow him to reset mentally. âHaving these outlets helped me reset⊠I show up better for basketball,â he explained.
Thybulle views the underdog label as an opportunity that can motivate the team and provide a strategic advantage against higher-seeded opponents.
The Portland Trail Blazers are entering the 2026 NBA Playoffs as the No. 7 seed.
The Portland Trail Blazers are facing the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

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Internally, that role is well defined. âIf youâre in the game, the coaches are going to play the guys who are gonna win,â Thybulle said. âThe media may not value it as much, but⊠when you watch, you know.â
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