Head coach Maurice Cheeks Record 50–32 (.610) | Arena Rose Garden Arena | |
Place Division: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 6th (Western) Playoff finish West First Round (eliminated 3–4) Television KGW, Fox Sports Net Northwest | ||
The 2002–03 season was the 33rd season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Blazers finished 50–32, making the playoffs for the 21st consecutive year and 26th year of the last 27. In the playoffs, the 6th-seeded Blazers battled the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, and fell four games to three. (The NBA had changed all playoff series to be best-of-seven; previously first-round series had been best-of-five).
The Blazers' 107–95 Game 7 loss to the Mavericks in Dallas would be the venerable franchise's last playoff game for six years, as the historic postseason streak ended in 2003–04 with a mediocre 41–41 record; two seasons followed in which they failed to win even 30 games. Following the season, Scottie Pippen re-signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls, and Arvydas Sabonis, who came out of his retirement to play this season retired for the second time.
West First Round
(3) Dallas Mavericks vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers Last Playoff Meeting: 1990 Western Conference First Round (Portland won 3-0)