Rayan Rupert confirms and weighs in Portland’s victory

Rayan Rupert (6’7″, 21 years old) answered the call again. Already impressive two days earlier despite the heavy defeat at Golden State, the Frenchman was this time one of the architects of the Portland Trail Blazers’ success against the Atlanta Hawks (117-101), confirming a very encouraging individual sequence.

Rayan RUPERT

13

PTS

3

REB

2

AST

POR

117101

ATL

Rayan Rupert decisive off the bench in Portland

Without Deni Avdija but collectively solid, the Trail Blazers made the difference thanks to their bench. And Rayan Rupert played a major role.

In just 16 minutes, the player from Sarthe compiled 13 points on 5/7 shooting, including 3/4 from beyond the arc, with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and especially 3 steals. Portland’s third-leading scorer in the game, he also hit a three-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the third quarter, when the game turned.

🔥🔥 Rayan Rupert hits the THREE at the buzzer!!! Closing out the 3rd Q #RipCity pic.twitter.com/bpOVietKGu

— DJACK (@DJACK_RipCity) January 16, 2026

Portland, trailing by one point at the start of the final quarter (88-87), then accelerated to end a two-game losing streak. Shaedon Sharpe finished as the leading scorer with 24 points, while Jerami Grant added 16.

Sidy Cissoko starts, Atlanta loses again in Portland

On the Hawks side, still without Zaccharie Risacher, out due to a left knee contusion, Sidy Cissoko (6’6″, 21 years old) was in the starting five. The former Baskonia player scored 6 points on 2/7 shooting, with 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 22 minutes.

Atlanta, led by Onyeka Okongwu’s 26 points, fell once again in Oregon. The Hawks haven’t won in Portland since February 2017.

SIDY & RAYAN 🫡

🇫🇷 Rayan Rupert: 13 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL
🇫🇷 Sidy Cissoko: 6 PT, 3 REB

The @trailblazers win 101-117 pic.twitter.com/PE6y7zkH2u

— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) January 16, 2026

Second consecutive 13-point game for Rupert

This performance confirms the Frenchman’s individual momentum. Tuesday, during the heavy defeat at Golden State (119-97), Rayan Rupert had already scored 13 points on 5/9 in 27 minutes, with 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 steals. He came close to his season high, set at 14 points in New Orleans on December 12.

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Moussa Diabate solid, Dieng and Yabusele quiet

In Charlotte, Moussa Diabate (6’10 », 23 years old) delivered a solid performance in the Hornets’ big win over the Lakers (135-117). Starting, the French big man scored 8 points on 4/5 shooting, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 2 assists in 30 minutes. Tidjane Salaun (6’9″, 20 years old) only played two minutes.

On the Oklahoma City side, Ousmane Dieng (6’10 », 22 years old) only played three minutes in the Thunder’s victory in Houston (111-91), with 2 defensive rebounds and 2 assists, going 0/2 from the field.

Finally, another difficult evening for the Knicks, against the Golden State Warriors (126-113). Guerschon Yabusele (6’7″, 30 years old) only played four minutes without scoring (0/2) with 1 rebound, while Mohamed Diawara (6’8″, 20 years old) entered for just one minute.

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Finally, on Thursday night Noah Penda (6’7″, 21 years old) played a significant role (9 points on 3/6, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 17 minutes) off the bench in Orlando’s victory against Memphis. He notably made a nice basket in traffic.

Noah Penda tough baseline reverse layup pic.twitter.com/ZPpx7j6Sf0

— The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) January 15, 2026