The San Antonio Spurs overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama and pulled away late to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 in Game 3 on Friday night at Moda Center. The result gives San Antonio a 2-1 edge in the first-round series.
San Antonio flipped the game after halftime with a 29-22 third quarter and a dominant 32-21 fourth, turning a nine-point deficit into a double-digit win. The Spurs’ offensive balance and shot-making proved decisive as they shot 47.1% from the field and 48.5% from three.
Stephon Castle led the way with 33 points, attacking downhill and converting 10-of-11 free throws. Dylan Harper added 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, giving San Antonio a reliable second scoring option.
De’Aaron Fox contributed 18 points and six assists, helping stabilize the offense during key stretches. Luke Kornet controlled the interior with 14 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring a frontcourt that held its own despite Portland’s edge in points in the paint.
The Spurs finished with 27 assists on 41 made field goals, consistently creating advantages through ball movement. Their 16 made three-pointers stretched Portland’s defense and opened driving lanes throughout the second half.
Portland started strong, scoring 65 points in the first half and building a 65-59 lead at the break. Jrue Holiday paced the Blazers with 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting, while Scoot Henderson added 21 points and five made threes.
However, the Trail Blazers’ offense stalled late as turnovers and missed perimeter shots disrupted their rhythm. Portland shot just 36.8% from three and managed only 43 points in the second half.
San Antonio’s defensive adjustments limited second-chance opportunities, holding Portland to eight second-chance points despite allowing 16 offensive rebounds. The Spurs also converted 15 fast-break points, capitalizing on transition chances created by stops.
The series has featured tight swings, with nine lead changes and eight ties in Game 3 alone, but San Antonio’s execution down the stretch separated the teams. Their ability to generate efficient offense without Wembanyama reflects the roster depth that fueled a 62-20 regular season.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Portland, where the Spurs will look to take control of the series before it shifts back to San Antonio. The Trail Blazers, facing a deficit, will need more consistent scoring across four quarters to even the matchup.
