The San Antonio Spurs are leading their series against the Portland Trail Blazers 2-1 after a 120-108 victory on Friday night.
Dylan Harper scored a playoff career-high of 27 points. The Spurs won Game 3 at home against the Trail Blazers.
Wembanyama Cleared to Play After Game 2 Concussion
Victor Wembanyama received medical clearance to play for Game 4 after sustaining a concussion in Game 2 and missing Game 3. He set a franchise record for points in a playoff debut with 35 in San Antonio’s Game 1 victory. He was limited to 11 minutes in Game 2.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama is progressing but would not speculate on his availability, citing the detailed return-to-play process. In good news announced less than an hour before Game 4, Wembanyama was given the OK to play after missing Game 3.
How much he’ll play in Game 4 is unknown as the Spurs may not want to overload his minutes in his return.
Harper and Castle Lead the Spurs’ Charge
San Antonio burrowed through a 15-point second-half deficit thanks to impressive scoring from Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Harper scored 27 points, including 22 in the second half. Castle scored 33 points.
Harper also had 10 rebounds, becoming the youngest guard to record a double-double in a playoff game. Per the Spurs, Harper was the first rookie with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds off the bench in a playoff game since 1987. Harper and Castle joined Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only duos in NBA history, age 21 or younger, to each score 25+ points in the same playoff game.
Trail Blazers’ Fourth Quarter Struggles
Portland led 82-67 with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter. With 5:48 to go in the fourth, San Antonio owned a 108-96 lead. During that stretch, Portland were 6-for-23 from the field and missed its six 3-point attempts.
Deni Avdija was 0-for-4, Jrue Holiday — who otherwise had a terrific game with 29 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals — was 1-for-4 and Jerami Grant was 0-for-3.
The Trail Blazers couldn’t do much to slow the Spurs, who shot 13-for-19 from the field and 7-for-9 on 3-pointers. Harper scored 20 points during that run, and Carter Bryant was on the court for the entire stretch, contributing offensively and defensively. He finished with an impactful three points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
The Portland Trail Blazers don’t have much time to mull their Game 3 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Game 4 is an early afternoon start Sunday in Portland, less than 48 hours after the Spurs took a 2-1 series lead with a 120-108 victory Friday night.