Blazers field rookie starting lineup vs. Denver in rare NBA occurrence / News - Basketnews.com

The Portland Trail Blazers fielded a starting lineup consisting of five rookie players in the game against the Denver Nuggets.

Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports Credit Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers started five rookies Saturday night against Denver, only the second time that has happened since starters were first tracked on NBA box scores more than 50 years ago.

Points this season

44%107,8Points made:107,8Accuracy:44,3%Place in standings:28Record max:137Record min:77Best scorer:Anfernee SimonsTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the draft, was in the lineup along with Duop Reath, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara and Rayan Rupert against the reigning NBA champions.

The five rookies combined for 76 points in a 114-111 loss.

That was the first time an NBA team sent out five rookies to start since the Golden State Warriors on April 26, 2012, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Klay Thompson started that night against San Antonio along with Charles Jenkins, Chris Wright, Jeremy Tyler and Mickell Gladness in their final game of that lockout-shortened season.

Starters were first tracked on NBA box scores in the 1971-72 season.

The Trail Blazers have the second-worst record in the Western Conference. They are missing key players such as Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Shaedon Sharpe and Malcolm Brogdon because of injuries.

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