Story perspectives

Spurs Edge Trail Blazers 120-108, Take 2-1 Lead

4/26/2026

Summary

Spurs Take Lead

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 in Game 3, giving the Spurs a 2-1 series lead.
Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 33 points, the highest total in the game.
Rookie Dylan Harper contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 22 of his points after halftime.
Victor Wembanyama sat out under the NBA concussion protocol after a head injury in Game 2.

Summary

Dundon Buys Blazers

Tom Dundon's group purchased the Blazers, prompting the Oregon Legislature to pledge $365 million for Moda Center upgrades while owners need hundreds of millions to replace arena.
Fans walked out after the team skipped free playoff T-shirts.
Chauncey Billups was arrested on wire-fraud and money-laundering charges, leading Tiago Splitter to become interim coach.
De’Aaron Fox broke Deni Avdija’s tooth with an elbow, leading to a technical foul that was later overturned.

Summary

Wembanyama Uncertain

Game 4 will air on ESPN and stream via the ESPN app at 12:30 p.m. PT.
NBA concussion protocol requires at least 48 hours and medical clearance before a player returns, keeping Victor Wembanyama’s status uncertain.
Damian Lillard is listed as out, further weakening Portland’s backcourt.
San Antonio’s small-ball unit featured 6-foot-7-inch Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes as its tallest players.

History

Historical Context

1999 saw the San Antonio Spurs, with Tim Duncan and coach Gregg Popovich, sweep the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals and win their first NBA title on a 15-2 postseason run, the best record then. Portland did not win another playoff series until 2014 and missed the conference finals again until 2019, highlighting today’s matchup.

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Spurs Take Lead

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 in Game 3, giving the Spurs a 2-1 series lead.
Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 33 points, the highest total in the game.
Rookie Dylan Harper contributed 27 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 22 of his points after halftime.
Victor Wembanyama sat out under the NBA concussion protocol after a head injury in Game 2.

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