Sidi Sissoko ready to sacrifice himself for the Blazers

If the Blazers failed knock off the pistons, Sidi Cissoko still shining. In the first half, he was the one who scored the basket, which ended the four-minute offensive drought, but the Frenchman, especially after the break, had the most weight.

With Detroit holding a 21-point lead, the winger reeled off six straight points to stop the bleeding. The sequence in which he stands out for the first time with his aggressiveness towards the circle. In his 27 minutes of play, the former Spurs player took a total of 13 free throws and made 10.

In the final act, Sidi Sissoko then distinguished himself with a dunk that put the Blazers back nine lengths, and just after that he was the author of what could have been the turning point of this match.

Guided by the Moda Center audience

The St. Maurice native thus draws an offensive foul by Cade Cunningham and the leader contests the whistle, but is penalized with a technical foul. This is the Detroit star’s sixth foul and he has been sent off. A few minutes later, Sidi Cissoko found Donovan Clingan who sinks a 3-point shot to give Portland two possessions back.

in the process Danny Avdia etc Toumani Camara take responsibility for putting the Blazers ahead, something that hasn’t happened since the start of the match with four minutes left.

“We had the impression that no one could stop us, especially with the crowd who perfectly played their role as the sixth man.” explains Sidi Cissoko on Portland’s 22-4 run early in the fourth quarter. “I was tired, but he helped me push my limits.”

Except the match lasts 48 minutes and after taking the lead, Portland stops shooting and allows Detroit to take control of the game to finally arc 110-102. Sidi Sissoko cannot prevent his team from sinking and loses the last ball twenty seconds from time which definitely seals the fate of this match.

“As Tiago (Splitter) said: the match lasts 48 minutes. recalls the Frenchman. “It’s a long game and Detroit held on well for 48 minutes. Nobody in this locker room likes to lose. Tomorrow we have back-to-backs, we’ll have another chance to fight and this time for 48 minutes.”

Soldier mentality

Despite this turnover in the final moments, Sidi Sissoko had another strong game with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists despite shooting 3/8 and especially 0/5 from distance. However, the French made up for it with the highest +/- in his team: +11. He is the only positive player with Donovan Klingan and his +1.

“I love this sport and my father always told me that if I don’t give my best on the field, there is no point in playing. I always say that if I could die on the field, then I would.” underlines Sidi Cissoko. “You have to go out there ready to make sacrifices for your team and that’s what I bring to you.”

Sidi Sissoko vs Pistons:

• 16 points
• 3 jumps
• 3 passages
• 3/8 FY
• 10/13 LF
• +/- 11

Important in his team’s comeback, however, he was unable to prevent Portland’s loss to Detroit (110-102). pic.twitter.com/vMHfjVIIef

— Thibault Mairesse (@MNThibault_) December 23, 2025

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.