By: Jennifer Portee
4/25/2026
The San Antonio Spurs walked into Portland without their biggest star and still walked out with control of the series.
No Victor Wembanyama? No problem.
Behind a breakout night from Stephon Castle, who dropped 33 points, the Spurs erased a double-digit deficit and stunned the Trail Blazers 120-108 on their home court Friday night. The win gives San Antonio a 2-1 series lead and shifts the pressure right back onto Portland heading into Game 4.
Let’s be clear this wasn’t supposed to go like this.
Portland had the energy early, feeding off its first home playoff crowd since 2021. They built momentum and pushed that lead to 15 in the third quarter, looking like a team ready to capitalize on Wembanyama’s absence after he was sidelined with a concussion from Game 2.
But San Antonio didn’t give up. They responded.
Dylan Harper came through with a strong all-around performance 27 points and 10 rebounds while the Spurs tightened up defensively and changed the tempo. A 21-5 run late in the third quarter completely changed the game, turning a 15-point hole into a one-point lead heading into the fourth.
From there, it was Castle time.
The rookie guard took over down the stretch, knocking down a nasty step back jumper and converting at the line to increase the lead to double digits.
“I feel like we’ve got a lot of dogs,” Castle said postgame. “Down 10, down 15 we don’t panic. We just lock in, get stops, and keep fighting.”
That mindset showed.
Even without Wembanyama who’s been a two-way force all season, averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and leading the league in blocks the Spurs didn’t lose their identity. Luke Kornet stepped in with a solid 14-point, 10-rebound effort, holding things down in the paint while the guards carried the scoring load.
For Porland, Jrue Holiday did everything he could to keep Portland in the game, finishing with 29 points. But the Blazers couldn’t sustain their advantage when it mattered most. After leading 82-67 in the third, they simply ran out of answers as San Antonio turned up the pressure.
Even the wild moments seemed to go San Antonio’s way. Late in the first half, De’Aaron Fox was originally called for an offensive foul after making contact with Avdija above the shoulders, but the call was overturned on review and turned into a defensive foul on Avdija instead. Avdija stayed in the game after chipping a tooth, but by then, the momentum was already starting to turn toward the Spurs.
Now, the Blazers are left regrouping.
“This one hurts,” Holiday admitted. “But we’ve got another game Sunday. Can’t sit on it too long we’ve got to respond.”
Game 4 is set for Sunday at the Moda Center, and all eyes will be on Wembanyama’s status. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson kept it vague, saying only that he is “progressing.”
But if Game 3 proved anything, it’s this San Antonio isn’t waiting around for help.
They’re coming for control of the series, with or without their superstar.