Coming off a win against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Spurs battled the Portland Trail Blazers for the last time this season. Due to injuries suffered in the last game, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were ruled out. As a result, Dylan Harper and Luke Kornet started in their places. After outscoring the Blazers 32-23 at the end of the first quarter, both teams struggled to shoot from three (aside from Carter Bryant). The Spurs took a 10-point lead into halftime and took a 15-point lead into the fourth.
After the Blazers cut the lead down to six late, the Spurs sank the Blazers with a dagger three from De’Aaron Fox. In a defensive and scrappy game, the Spurs ultimately took down the Blazers 112-101.
De’Aaron Fox led the way with 25 points (10-20 FG, 3-6 3PT), seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals. With his backcourt running mate out, Fox took control of the offense to start. His three-point shot looked pure, along with his midrange pull-ups and finishes. He was also quick with the dimes in both the frontcourt and the fastbreaks from the backcourt. As the regular season draws to a close, the Spurs look forward to Fox giving them insurance games like this one from Fox for their postseason run.
Too quick! On the fastbreak, Fox speeds past Deni Avdija for the quick layup to dunk!
Beautiful play! Fox gets his defender in the air, passes it to Harrison Barnes, who passes it back to Fox, who then immediately lobs it to Luke Kornet for the alley-oop slam!
The reverse angle!
Don’t reach! Fox drives and pulls up for the and-one jumper over Kris Murray!
Splashtown! Fox throws a lob pass to Devin Vassell for the three-point splash!
Run the floor! On another fastbreak, Fox drives to the three-point line, gets doubled, and in a flash throws a pass to a cutting Kornet for the open slam!
Keldon Johnson dropped 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist. KJ led the charge off the bench and went to work in the paint. No matter who was guarding him, KJ drove and took his time making his presence known to the Blazers’ defensive line. He shot over 50% from the field and got to the free-throw line. He also nearly grabbed double-digit rebounds. This game helps put the finishing touches on a Sixth Man of the Year-type season for KJ.
TOO STRONG! KJ drives past Murray and finishes through contact off the glass for the and-one!
Persistence pays off! KJ tries the hook shot over Jrue Holiday, gets his own rebound, and throws up a floater for two!
HUSTLE AND HEART! KJ dives on the loose ball and gives it up to Fox, who then throws it ahead to a wide-open Julian Champagnie, who throws it down!
Carter Bryant dropped a career-high 17 points (5-6 3PT), five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Carter played 25 minutes off the bench and provided the Spurs with the best game of his rookie season. Portland was leaving him open at the three-point line, so Carter was taking what the defense gave him. The result? A career-high five threes on six attempts. He was also active on the boards and dished out several dimes. His bench production, along with KJ’s, allowed the Spurs to completely obliterate Portland’s bench.
GET OUT OF HIS WAY! Carter drives in on former Spur Sidy Cissoko and completely takes him out of the play, which results in a pass to a wide-open Kornet on the dunk!
CART3R! Carter knocks down his fifth three of the game from the corner!
Here’s all five CB threes!
In a scrappy game, the Spurs, while shorthanded, came out on top. Fox showed up and showed out. KJ followed, and CB earned a spot in the playoff rotation according to Mitch Johnson. In his third start, Harper dropped 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks. Kornet also dropped 10 points (5-6 FG), six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. Despite missing both Castle and Wemby, this team continues to prove how deep they are, and their potential come playoff time is as high as the championship.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs take on the Dallas Mavericks for the final time this season on Friday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on KENS.
