Carmelo Anthony on his Trail Blazers debut: “It felt great to be out there”

Carmelo Anthony finished with 10 points in his first game with the Trail Blazers, a 115-104 loss Tuesday night at the New Orleans Pelicans.

Melo got the start, and didn’t play with Damian Lillard who missed the game with back spasms.  Melo finished with 24 minutes played, making 4 of his 14 shot attempts (2/3 3pts), 4 rebounds, 0 assists, and five fouls committed.

After the game, Carmelo said it felt good to return to the NBA after not playing in over a year.

“Just being out there with the guys again. Team bus, team lunch, being around the guys in the locker room, the routine that I’ve been used to for 17 years now.”@carmeloanthony on his first game with the @trailblazers #RipCity #MeloSzN pic.twitter.com/ol3bGvbMTT

— 750 The Game (@750TheGame) November 20, 2019

Melo said he’s been preparing and waiting for the right time to return to the league.  “I relied on the work that I’ve been putting in for the past year… I relied on the people that I trusted to come alongside this journey with me…Really pushing myself to not give up.”

The 35-year-old said his conditioning felt mostly good aside from some minor issues.  The 10-time All Star has yet to be able to practice with the team or spend any time off the court with his new Blazers teammates, but will be able to do so in the coming days.  Portland’s current six-game road trip swings through Milwaukee for a game against the Bucks on Thursday night, at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, and at the Chicago Bulls next Monday night.

Melo will make his Moda Center debut on Wed., Nov. 27th when the Blazers finally return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder.