Key Takeaways:
- On Sunday, Victor Wembanyama returned from concussion protocol to tally 27 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocks as the Spurs defeated Portland 114-93
- San Antonio overcame a 17-point halftime deficit, levelling the game at 74 before pulling away in the fourth quarter
- The Spurs now lead the first-round series 3-1 and will host Game 5 on Tuesday night
Wembanyama Makes Impactful Return After Concussion
Victor Wembanyama announced his return in emphatic fashion for the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, delivering a performance featuring 27 points, 11 boards, and seven blocks to guide his squad to a 114-93 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers. This pivotal win secured a 3-1 first-round series lead for San Antonio.
Just over an hour before tip-off, the Spurs confirmed that the 7-foot-4 centre and Defensive Player of the Year would suit up after clearing NBA concussion protocol. Wembanyama had missed the previous outing, but quickly made his presence felt, thrilling the Moda Center crowd with a powerful dunk early in the first half.
ONE. MORE. @FrostBank | #sponsored pic.twitter.com/0gsd1Zo2J7
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 26, 2026
Spurs Overcome Early Deficit With Second-Half Surge
Despite trailing by 17 points at half-time, San Antonio showed remarkable resilience. The Blazers surged ahead 45-28 in the first half courtesy of an 18-3 run, with Robert Williams III, Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, and Deni Avdija all contributing to the offensive onslaught. Portland led by as much as 19 and held a 58-41 advantage at the break.
However, the Spurs responded after the interval with a 13-0 run, closing the gap to 58-54 as Portland struggled for rhythm. Devin Vassell levelled the scores at 62 and soon after put the Spurs in front, capping an impressive turnaround. Going into the fourth quarter, the sides were deadlocked at 74.
San Antonio seized control in the final period, fuelled by back-to-back three-pointers from De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson that widened the gap to 90-77 with 7:14 remaining. Johnson followed up with a dunk to make it 101-81 with 4:31 to play, effectively settling the contest.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) | 27 | 11 | 3 | 7 |
| De’Aaron Fox (Spurs) | 28 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers) | 26 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
Player Performances and Key Incidents
De’Aaron Fox was instrumental for San Antonio, adding 28 points to the tally, while Keldon Johnson’s contributions in the fourth quarter proved decisive. Stephon Castle, who had recorded 33 points in the previous game, briefly left with a hand injury in the first half but returned to the action.
Deni Avdija was the leading scorer for Portland with 26 points. The match’s intensity escalated late in the fourth when Avdija and Stephon Castle became involved in an altercation, resulting in offsetting technical fouls. Avdija reflected on the incident, stating, “You can be tough, you can be, you know, physical, but there’s a level of disrespect that I’m not gonna accept.”
Spurs Demonstrate Resolve in Adversity
Discussing the night’s comeback, Wembanyama commented, “We need to find the answers before having our back against the wall. But that also shows the strength of our team in adversity. We stick together. We get closer to each other, we feed off of each other’s energy.” He further noted, “I think there’s no useless drama in between us. We thrive when we do the invisible efforts that benefit others. There’s no jealousy. There’s nobody who cares about their stat line. So it’s our greatest strength.”
With the series shifting to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Spurs have an opportunity to close out the series and progress further in the playoffs.
