The Portland Trail Blazers return to the NBA Playoffs for the first time in five years tomorrow when they meet the San Antonio Spurs in Texas. The Blazers enter the series as clear underdogs as they look for ways to contain the monster that is Victor Wembanyama.
The massive Frenchman will no doubt be the biggest hurdle for the Blazers to leap, but he isn’t alone. De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Julian Champagnie, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Luke Kornet, Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson have all helped
the Spurs to their 62-20 record. Though the roster is imposing, it is interesting to note that only Barnes, Fox and Kornet boast real playoff experience.
The Spurs finished the 2025-26 season with the league’s third best offense and ninth best defense, earning the Western Conference’s second seed and runaway favorite status over the Blazers. In fact, the Spurs sweeping the Blazers would surprise no one, with many a pundit predicting that eventuality before the ball is jumped.
The Blazers are still in flux trying to work out which pieces fit where and what else they need to edge closer to the top of the standings. With that said, I believe the Blazers win at least one game, most likely at the Moda Center.
One of the keys to the franchise enjoying any success over the next two weeks will come down to a handful of players. I point to Deni Avdija, Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant, Donovan Clingan, Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara. The latter is who I want to focus on today.
I’m cautious about putting too much expectation on a third-year player but I do believe that Camara has the ability to swing a game or two this series.
We know what to expect from him on the defensive end. The Belgian is an elite stopper, both on the perimeter and nearer the rim. Just to highlight his versatility, the 6’7 Camara will probably spend time on the 6’3 Fox, 6’6 Castle and 7’4 Wembanyama, during the series.
But it’ll be on the other end of the floor where Camara might be the most crucial.
This season, the Blazers ranked third in three-point attempts with 42.3 percent of their shots coming from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, they were 27th in three-point percentage at 34.3 percent. In order for the Blazers to stand a chance, that 34.3 percent percentage needs to rise considerably.
Camara has been this roster’s third-best three point shooter this season — behind Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday — hitting 37.0 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He thrived above the break, registering 39.1 percent on non-corner shots, which was good enough for the 85th percentile among wings.
He also attempted the most three pointers among his teammates, launching 7.2 a game. These attempts were largely in catch-and-shoot scenarios, preceded by the likes of Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson and Jerami Grant making plays at the rim.
One could argue that Camara’s high volume of attempts serve as a barometer for how the Blazers have performed on the offensive end this season. In fact, I’m arguing it.
Camara has played every single game, averaging 13.4 points on 37.0 percent from three, 44.0 percent from the field, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals over 82 games. If there’s anyone who can take credit for the roster’s 43-40 record (I’m including the Play-In), it’s Camara.
As far as his shooting goes, when Camara registered more than his 13.4-point average, the Blazers won 29 of 47 games or 61.1 percent of their outings. When Camara hit better than his 37.0 percent average from three, the Blazers went on to win 27 of 41 or a 65.9 percent winning percentage.
This is obviously a simplistic look but the NBA is a make-or-miss league. There’s a pattern here.
On November 5, Camara hit 3 of 5 from three and the Blazers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-110.
On November 21, Camara hit 4 of 6 from three with the Blazers beating the Golden State Warriors 127-12.
On January 3, Camara hit 5 of 9 from three in a win against the Spurs 115-110.
On February 9, Camara hit of 8 of 10 from three and the Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 135-118.
On March 23, Camara hit 9 of 11 from three and the Blazers beat the Brooklyn Nets 134-99.
On April 2, Camara hit 6 of 12 from three with the roster beating a still-competitive New Orleans Pelicans squad 118-106.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson knows how inaccurate the Blazers can be from three. San Antonio will no doubt crowd the paint to make it tougher for the likes of Deni Avdija to get to the rim. But if Camara can catch and shoot at or above his average, Johnson may also have to send a body or two out to make it trickier for the Belgian forward, thus opening space for teammates to get downhill.
Conclusion
Tomorrow, the franchise will kick off its first playoff series in five years, taking on a tough, though equally inexperienced, Spurs roster boasting a true generational talent in Victor Wembanyama.
Camara goes into the series as one of the Blazers’ most important figures, not just in defending the Spurs but putting points on the scoreboard. No one else on this roster that shown he can get as hot from three and change the face of game as the 25-year-old. When Camara’s shot is falling, the Blazers’ high three-point attempt rate makes sense. When it’s not, it gets ugly.
While I have no illusions about the Blazers beating the Spurs in a best-of-seven series, I do think contributors like Camara can play a major role in winning at least a couple of games and at least make it interesting.
