The Portland Trail Blazers earned a crucial 106-103 road win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night at Frost Bank Center, tying their Western Conference series 1-1. Acting head coach Tiago Splitter placed Scoot Henderson’s performance at the center of the victory.
“I don’t know if I have words for it. Best game of the season for him. Maybe his career, I don’t know,” Splitter said about Henderson’s 31-point outing. “To have a game like that in the playoffs against a great team like the Spurs, it’s something else.”
Henderson also contributed in multiple areas beyond scoring, a point Splitter emphasized in his evaluation. “Not just offensively but defensively, he carried us, scored when we needed, got stops, and really won the game for us.”
Portland responded late after San Antonio built a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Blazers closed the game on an 11-2 run, holding the Spurs without a field goal in the final 3:37.
Splitter described the emotional weight of the moment as his first playoff win as head coach. “It is awesome. This is why we do this. To have games like this, to experience wins like this.”
He added that the team’s mindset was set before tip-off. “I told them before the game, all the stuff that we went through throughout the season is to get to these moments and have fun. Go there and hoop, go there and ball.”
A major turning point came after Spurs star Victor Wembanyama exited with a concussion in the second quarter. Splitter acknowledged the injury while stressing focus on adjustments. “First of all, it was scary. I saw the image, that’s not good.”
San Antonio’s absence of Wembanyama forced rotations to shift, and Portland adjusted by targeting specific matchups. Splitter pointed to Luke Kornet’s minutes and defensive coverage as an area for review. “We still got to figure out how to play better when Kornet is on the court.”
He also noted defensive matchups, including the decision to place Jrue Holiday on Wembanyama earlier in the game. “It’s just Jrue’s experience, physicality. He’s got a lower center of gravity.”
Despite late-game execution issues in stretches, Splitter credited his group for responding under pressure. “Guys, we did this before. It’s not our first time. We need some energy. There’s a lot of game. Let’s keep executing the game plan and we’re going to make shots and get stops.”
The Blazers shot 38-for-89 from the field and were led by Henderson’s efficient scoring burst. Robert Williams III’s late alley-oop dunk sealed the comeback.
Portland now returns home for Game 3, with Splitter expecting a strong response from the crowd at Moda Center. “I hope it’s an amazing crowd. Everybody goes and supports our team.”
