Wembanyama's 6‑block night fuels Spurs 114‑95 win
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- Victor Wembanyama posted 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks as the Spurs defeated the Trail Blazers 114‑95 in Game 5, clinching the series 4‑1.
- San Antonio Spurs never trailed and built a lead of up to 28 points, winning their third straight game to reach the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2017.
- Julian Champagnie contributed 19 points and said the team was motivated to close out the series at home to avoid a four‑hour flight back to Portland.
- De'Aaron Fox led Portland with 21 points, while Deni Avdija finished with 22 points but was 1‑for‑6 from three‑point range.
- Tiago Splitter, Portland’s coach, said Wembanyama’s defense is "extremely difficult" because he can contest both three‑point shots and the rim at the same time.
- Spurs will next play the winner of the Denver‑Minnesota series, which is currently 3‑2 in favor of the Timberwolves with Game Six set for Thursday.
- Kawhi Leonard’s 2017 ankle injury and subsequent trade led to a rapid decline for the Spurs, paving the way for drafting Wembanyama.
Why it matters: The Spurs’ victory propels them into the conference semifinals, ending a nine‑year drought and giving San Antonio a chance to compete for a championship, while the Blazers’ season ends, significantly highlighting the impact of Wembanyama’s defensive versatility on playoff outcomes.
