Nassir Little records career night in loss to Kings

The former Tar Heel turned in his best performance of the 2022-2023 season against Sacramento.

Sergio Estrada/USA Today Sports

On Thursday, Portland Trail Blazers forward and former North Carolina Tar Heel Nassir Little scored a season and team-high 26 points in a 133-116 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

Little connected on 10 of his 19 shot attempts, including five made shots from beyond the arc, while converting his lone free throw attempts

The former first round pick was impactful on both ends, recording a career-high four steals and a block.

Nassir Little SWATS it from behind 🖐️pic.twitter.com/CaHw9d4Pd8

— Blazers Nation (@BlazersNationCP) February 24, 2023

This performance marked the ninth time this season that Little scored in double figures and his season high in makes from three-point range.

Little entered the 2022-2023 season without having participated in an NBA game since February after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Since his return to the court, he has done nothing but produce during his limited 17.8 minutes per game. Little, who averages 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds, is shooting an efficient 47.2 percent from the field and 41 percent from three.

With Little and Trail Blazers agreeing to a four-year, $28 million extension at the beginning of the season, he will be in Portland through at least the 2026-2027 season.

Portland will return to action on Sunday against the Houston Rockets.