San Antonio

Spurs

Fox fell one assist shy of a double-double, but he was still able to make a big impact on offense. He was quiet in the first three games of the series, but he got things going on offense over the last two, with averages of 24.5 points, 8.0 assists and 3.0 triples while shooting 61.3 percent from the floor. It is good to see him figure things out before the second round, which will be against either the Nuggets or the Timberwolves, depending on how that series finishes.

Wembanyama didn’t do much scoring in this game, but he was still able to make a monster impact. He dominated that glass and continued to swat plenty of shots; over the final two games of this series, Wemby recorded 13 blocks. Clearly, the concussion doesn’t seem to be bothering him, and with this series over, he’ll get some extra time to get back to full strength before the second round beings. They’ll await the winners of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series.

Champagnie got off to a hot start, scoring 14 points in the first half alone. He didn’t contribute much after the break, but he was still able to have a strong night, which was enough to help the Spurs secure the win and advance to the second round. This was Champagnie’s first double-digit outing of the postseason, which was a nice boost, though he likely won’t continue to produce to this level consistently.

Castle appeared to injure his left hand during the second quarter of Game 4, but he was able to return after a brief stint on the bench. The second-year guard was especially effective setting up others, as he led the Spurs in assists and committed just one turnover. Castle and the Spurs now head home for Tuesday’s Game 5, with a win pushing them into the second round.

The Spurs outscored Portland by a 73-35 margin in the second half, and Fox played a major part in that. He scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half and also had a few key assists to Keldon Johnson (9/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) in the fourth quarter. Fox put up a complete stat line in Game 4, and he’ll look to do the same in Game 5 on Tuesday. The Spurs hold a 3-1 series lead, so Sunday may have been their last visit to Portland this season.

Back in the Spurs’ lineup after sitting out Friday’s Game 3 victory, Wembanyama showed why he was the unanimous winner of NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors. Thoroughly dominating his matchups with Portland’s centers, Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams, Wemby recorded four steals and seven blocks, and there were other shots that he managed to alter. Add in the double-double, and he helped the Spurs turn a 19-point deficit into a 21-point victory and a 3-1 series lead. Game 5 is on Tuesday.

The Spurs get their regular starting lineup back for Game 4, as Victor Wembanyama is returning from a concussion. Wemby, the Defensive Player of the Year, provides San Antonio with a major difference-maker on both ends of the floor. The Spurs will look to take a 3-1 series lead.

The Spurs will get back the NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Sunday following a one-game injury absence. Wembanyama has not taken the floor since exiting Game 2’s loss early after a scary fall to the floor. He’ll reclaim his starting spot from Luke Kornet as San Antonio looks to take a 3-1 series lead.

McLaughlin has not appeared in a game this series, but his absence has not affected the Spurs’ rotation. If available, Sunday’s game will likely have to get out of hand for the veteran guard to play meaningful minutes.

Injured during Game 2, Wembanyama remained in the league’s concussion protocol for Friday’s Game 3 victory in Portland. The good news is that he was on the bench with his teammates, and there’s now a chance that the MVP finalist returns on Sunday. If Wembanyama plays, Luke Kornet will head to the bench.