The Spurs turned Moda Center upside down on Sunday night, turning a 17-point halftime deficit into a 114-93 blowout that pushed San Antonio to a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Victor Wembanyama, back after a one-game absence, wrecked shop on both ends. Portland’s sellout crowd went from partying to stunned silence as its early cushion disappeared and San Antonio took over late.
Wembanyama racked up 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in his return, while De'Aaron Fox poured in 28, according to The Washington Post. Box-score numbers show San Antonio burying Portland 73-35 in the second half, including a lopsided 40-19 fourth quarter that turned the night into a rout, per CBS Sports.
Wembanyama's Return Ignites Spurs' Second-Half Surge
After the break, San Antonio caught fire in a way that felt almost unfair. The Spurs shot 67 percent from the field and 50 percent from three in the second half, numbers that OregonLive reports flipped the game in a matter of minutes. A 13-0 burst to open the third quarter, paired with ramped-up defensive pressure, forced Portland into turnovers and rushed, low-quality shots that fed San Antonio’s momentum.
Portland's Big Lead Vanishes
Portland went into halftime up 58-41, seemingly in control, but never found a way to slow the tide once it turned. Deni Avdija finished with 26 points and Jrue Holiday added 20 in the loss, according to OPB. The fans who packed Moda Center watched the Blazers’ offense freeze in the second half, and a rash of late turnovers turned a bad stretch into a full-on runaway for the Spurs.
What's Next
The series now shifts to San Antonio, where the Spurs will have a chance to close out the first round on Tuesday night. Portland has to steal a win on the road just to stay alive, per The Washington Post. Between now and then, the Blazers will be searching for answers on how to slow those late-game Spurs runs and clean up the turnovers that have wrecked their home-court hopes.
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