The San Antonio Spurs are headed to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade after a dominant 114-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Victor Wembanyama delivered 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks as the Spurs cruised past Portland to win Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series.
Spurs Never Trail in Closeout Win
According to an Associated Press report, the Spurs never trailed and secured their third straight victory in the series to advance. San Antonio built a lead as large as 28 points in the dominant performance. De'Aaron Fox led the team with 21 points, while Julian Champagnie added 19 markers and Dylan Harper scored 17.
Wembanyama's Defensive Impact
The 7-foot-4 French star played a major role in ending Portland's hopes. After the Trail Blazers trimmed the deficit to 91-82 midway through the fourth quarter behind an 11-0 run, the Spurs quickly answered. Wembanyama highlighted the response by swatting Deni Avdija's floater off the backboard and into the crowd.
Avdija scored 22 points for Portland but struggled from deep, hitting just one of six three-point attempts. The Trail Blazers shot only 23 percent from beyond the arc as a team, and Scoot Henderson was held to just five points.
Strong Start Sets Tone
The Spurs came out strong after coach Mitch Johnson stressed the need for a better start. San Antonio responded with a 17-4 opening burst, sparked by two three-pointers and eight early points from Champagnie. Champagnie finished five of seven from long range, helping the Spurs shoot 40 percent from three-point territory.
San Antonio also made key defensive plays, including Devin Vassell's block on Donovan Clingan's dunk attempt that led to a three-point play by Luke Kornet for a commanding 64-37 advantage.
Next Opponent
San Antonio will next face the winner of the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves series, which Minnesota currently leads 3-2. Game 6 is set for Thursday.
Other Playoff Results
Joel Embiid scored 33 points, while Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics, 113-97, to stay alive in their series. In New York, Jalen Brunson poured in 39 points as the Knicks routed the Atlanta Hawks, 126-97, for a 3-2 lead in their own first-round matchup.
