NBA: Spurs dominate 2nd half to go up 3-1 on Trail Blazers

De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points and Victor Wembanyama added 27 in his return from concussion protocol as the visiting San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series on Sunday.

Fox shot 11-of-17 from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers as the Spurs overcame a 19-point deficit to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in San Antonio.

Wembanyama, who missed Game 3, delivered a dominant two-way performance with 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals, reinforcing his reputation as the league’s premier defensive force after being named the NBA’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.

“I had lots of emotions in me before the game, obviously excitement. Frustration,” Wembanyama told ESPN. “I let it all out tonight.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson emphasized the importance of consistency from his star player.

“The challenge now is for him to continue to play the way that he did in the second half for the whole game,” Johnson said. “If he does that, we'll be tough. But if he doesn't do that, there's a ripple effect for our team — and that's the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise as the best player.”

Stephon Castle contributed 16 points and eight assists despite playing through left-hand discomfort and foul trouble, while Devin Vassell added 11 points. San Antonio outscored Portland 73-35 in the second half to complete the comeback.

For the Trail Blazers, Deni Avdija led the way with 26 points, Jrue Holiday scored 20, and Jerami Grant added 17 points off the bench.

The game was tied at 74 entering the fourth quarter before the Spurs broke away with a 27-7 run. Castle connected with Wembanyama for three alley-oop dunks, while Fox added key jumpers and a three-pointer to give San Antonio an 87-77 lead with 7:47 remaining.

Keldon Johnson extended the lead further with a three-pointer and driving baskets, pushing the Spurs ahead 101-81 with 4:31 left.

Tempers briefly flared in the fourth quarter after Castle made contact with Avdija, leading to a shoving incident that resulted in double technical fouls.

Portland had controlled much of the first half, leading by two after the first quarter and building a 19-point advantage at 58-39 following a Donovan Clingan three-pointer late in the second quarter.

However, San Antonio closed the second quarter with a scoring burst and opened the third quarter with a 13-0 run, highlighted by three consecutive three-pointers from Justin Champagnie, Fox and Vassell. The Spurs eventually tied the game at the end of the third before pulling away in the fourth.

“We mentally broke down and couldn’t get over that,” Portland coach Tiago Splitter said.

— Field Level Media / Reuters