Stephon Castle scored 33 points as the San Antonio Spurs overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 on Friday night, taking a 2-1 lead in the series, News.Az reports, citing AP.

Dylan Harper contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who found themselves trailing by 15 points in the third quarter before mounting a comeback. Game 4 of the first-round series is set to take place Sunday at the Moda Center.

Ahead of the matchup, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed that Wembanyama would not play as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered during Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Jrue Holiday led the Trail Blazers with 29 points in what was the team’s first home playoff appearance since 2021, but Portland was ultimately unable to capitalize on Wembanyama’s absence.

The Trail Blazers held an 82-67 advantage in the third quarter, but the Spurs responded with a 21-5 run to edge ahead 88-87 entering the final period. A step-back jumper from Castle, followed by two free throws, extended San Antonio’s lead to 105-95 midway through the fourth quarter, after which Portland’s performance unraveled.

Wembanyama — the NBA’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and one of three finalists for the Most Valuable Player award — suffered his injury in the second quarter of San Antonio’s 106-103 loss in Game 2.

Johnson did not provide further details on Wembanyama’s condition, stating only that the player is making progress. This season, Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game. His availability for Sunday’s game remains uncertain.

In Wembanyama’s absence, Luke Kornet started and recorded 14 points along with 10 rebounds while the French star watched from the bench.

Portland surged ahead in the first half with a 15-2 run to lead 50-43 and maintained a 65-59 advantage at halftime following a three-pointer by Jerami Grant.

In the closing moments of the first half, De’Aaron Fox was initially called for an offensive foul after driving to the basket and making contact with Deni Avdija’s face. However, Johnson challenged the call, and it was overturned to a defensive foul on Avdija, who chipped a tooth on the play but continued playing.

News.Az 

By Nijat Babayev