The San Antonio Spurs secured a decisive 118-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, halting a two-game losing streak.
Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham led the scoring effort with 17 points each as the Spurs adjusted in their fourth game without head coach Gregg Popovich, who remains sidelined after a medical episode last Saturday.
Johnson’s impactful performance was matched by teammates Zach Collins and Julian Champagnie, each contributing 14 points. The Spurs displayed resilience in the absence of Popovich, with acting head coach Mitch Johnson guiding the team’s efficient offensive output.
Victor Wembanyama added 12 points, along with eight rebounds and three blocks, bolstering San Antonio’s defensive presence.
Portland’s Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant led the opposition with 21 points each, but the Trail Blazers struggled to find consistency on the perimeter, converting just 9 of 32 three-point attempts. Anfernee Simons also contributed 19 points for Portland, while Toumani Camara had nine rebounds but scored only four points.
San Antonio took command in the second half, particularly after Portland cut their lead to just two points at 64-62. The Spurs responded with a critical sequence, extending their advantage to 68-62 with a three-pointer from Branham followed by a free throw from Wembanyama, helping San Antonio pull away for good.
Spurs players provided solid contributions from the bench, with Blake Wesley scoring 10 points and dishing out eight assists, supporting the team’s strong ball movement throughout the game. San Antonio’s second unit combined for 58 points, a critical factor in outpacing Portland’s reserves.
In contrast, the Trail Blazers faced challenges in their shooting efficiency, especially beyond the arc. Simons managed three triples out of nine attempts, while the rest of Portland’s starting lineup hit just three of 12 from deep. The Spurs’ defense limited Portland’s secondary scoring options, especially in the fourth quarter, where Portland could not close the gap.
The Spurs were also bolstered by Champagnie’s shooting accuracy, going 4-for-8 from three-point range, and Collins, who connected on 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Their shooting success helped the Spurs maintain an edge despite the absence of other regular contributors, such as Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan, who were out due to injury.
The Trail Blazers, now 3-6, will need to address their defensive lapses as they search for greater consistency, particularly in the second half of games. Meanwhile, the Spurs improved to 4-5 and will look to build on this balanced victory while awaiting Popovich’s return.
