Spurs Rally to Beat Blazers 114-93, Take 3-1 Series Lead as Wembanyama Returns

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 in Game 4 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Sunday, taking a 3-1 lead. Victor Wembanyama, returning after missing Game 3 due to a concussion sustained in Game 2, contributed 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists and three steals.

The game was played at the Moda Center in Portland. The Spurs trailed by 17 points at halftime but outscored the Blazers 73-35 in the second half to secure the victory. De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 28 points, while Keldon Johnson added key 3-pointers and a dunk in the fourth quarter.

He started and made an impact early, including an emphatic dunk in the first half that drew reactions from the crowd. The Spurs announced his availability about an hour before tip-off. In the second half, San Antonio mounted a comeback from a 19-point deficit, tying the game at 74 entering the fourth quarter.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Fox and Johnson extended the lead to 90-77 with 7:14 remaining, and Johnson's dunk later pushed it to 101-81.

“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 get closer to each other, we feed off of each other’s energy.”

" He emphasized that the Spurs' medical staff treated him well and that he felt healthy starting the day after the injury. Wembanyama declined to provide details, stating he did not want to become a distraction and would address it after the season.

The injury occurred when Wembanyama fell hard to the floor in the first half of Game 2, a 106-103 loss to Portland. He progressed through protocol stages, including neurological tests, cardio work after 24 hours, and increased activities over subsequent days, before receiving medical clearance on Sunday.

Portland built its halftime lead with an 18-3 run in the first half, featuring dunks and 3-pointers from Robert Williams III, Jerami Grant and Scoot Henderson. Avdija capped the run with a fadeaway jumper. A tense moment occurred with 2:13 left when Avdija and Stephon Castle exchanged shoves, resulting in offsetting technical fouls.

Avdija later commented on the incident, stressing a level of disrespect he would not accept. The Blazers' effort faltered in the second half, allowing the Spurs to rally. San Antonio's defense, anchored by Wembanyama's seven blocks, limited Portland's scoring opportunities.

The Spurs won Game 3 without Wembanyama, rallying in the third quarter for a 120-108 victory to take a 2-1 lead. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in San Antonio, where the Spurs will aim to close out the series. Wembanyama, the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, showcased his all-around dominance in the win.

His performance included shooting 9-of-17 from the field. The series is part of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with the Spurs positioning themselves to advance.