Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant comeback after missing time with a concussion, delivering a stat‑filled performance that helped the San Antonio Spurs extend their first‑round playoff lead over the Portland Trail Blazers to 3‑1. The 7‑foot‑4‑inch rookie, who was recently honored as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, posted 27 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and recorded seven blocked shots in a decisive 114‑93 victory that put the Spurs firmly in control of the series. The Spurs’ offensive firepower was further bolstered by De'Aaron Fox, who contributed 28 points and helped keep the momentum rolling as the team prepared to head back to San Antonio for Game Five on Tuesday night.
The win was especially meaningful because it marked Wembanyama’s first appearance since the league’s concussion protocol cleared him to play, a decision announced just an hour before tip‑off. After the game, Wembanyama expressed disappointment with how his concussion protocol was handled, describing the process as "very disappointing." Despite his frustrations, he praised the Spurs’ medical staff for the care he received and declined to elaborate further, stating that he did not want to become a distraction and would address the issue "at the end of the season." The game itself was a tale of two halves. San Antonio fell behind by 17 points at the halftime break, but the team rallied in the second half, entering the fourth quarter with the score tied at 74‑74.
A pivotal stretch came when Fox and forward Keldon Johnson connected on consecutive three‑pointers, pushing the Spurs ahead 90‑77 with just over seven minutes left on the clock. Johnson’s emphatic dunk with 4:31 remaining extended the lead to 101‑81, effectively sealing the win and quelling any hopes the Blazers had of a comeback. Wembanyama reflected on the comeback, noting, "We need to find the answers before having our back against the wall," emphasizing the importance of resilience and strategic adjustments. He also highlighted the team’s unity in adversity, saying, "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." Portland’s leading scorer was Deni Avdija, who put up 26 points.
The game featured a tense moment late in the fourth quarter when Avdija and Stephon Castle became entangled in a brief scuffle, resulting in offsetting technical fouls for both players. Avdija later commented on the incident, stating, "You can be tough, you can be physical, but there's a level of disrespect that I'm not gonna accept." Wembanyama’s concussion originally occurred during the first half of San Antonio’s 106‑103 loss in Game Two, which forced him to sit out Game Three on Friday night.
The Spurs, however, responded strongly in that matchup, rallying in the third quarter to secure a 120‑108 win and take the series lead. Looking ahead, the Spurs will aim to capitalize on their momentum as they host the Blazers for Game Five. The team’s blend of youthful talent, defensive versatility, and veteran leadership positions them as a formidable opponent in the Western Conference playoffs.
If Wembanyama continues to perform at the level he displayed in his return, the Spurs could very well advance deeper into the postseason, potentially challenging for a conference title. For fans eager to follow the action, NBA games are broadcast live on Sky Sports, and highlights along with full‑length videos are regularly updated across streaming platforms. The ongoing series promises more intense competition, dramatic moments, and the chance for emerging stars like Wembanyama to cement their legacy in playoff history.