De’Aaron Fox Leads Spurs to Historic Playoff Comeback Over Trail Blazers in Game 4

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs didn’t just win Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. They etched their names in NBA history with a second-half surge so dominant it rewrote the record books—and De’Aaron Fox was the steady hand guiding them through the storm.

The final score, 114-93, tells only part of the story. What unfolded in the AT&T Center was a tale of two halves: a first 24 minutes where the Trail Blazers outplayed the Spurs in nearly every facet, followed by a second-half masterclass that left Portland reeling and San Antonio one win away from advancing to the second round for the first time since 2017.

A Record-Setting Turnaround

Trailing by 17 points at halftime, the Spurs became the first team in NBA playoff history to overcome a 15-plus-point deficit at the break and win by 15 or more points. The 31-point swing—from a 51-34 deficit to a 114-83 blowout—wasn’t just a comeback; it was a statement. And it was fueled by a defensive adjustment so simple yet so effective that it left Portland’s offense gasping for air.

“We knew we had to get stops,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters after the game. “We weren’t scoring in the first half, so we flipped the script. We made them work for every point, and it paid off.”

The numbers bear out Johnson’s strategy. After allowing 33 points in the second quarter while scoring just 18 themselves, the Spurs clamped down in the second half, holding Portland to 16 points in the third quarter while exploding for 33 of their own. The 49-point second-half output was the highest in the NBA playoffs this season, per ESPN Insights.

Fox’s Playoff Breakout

While Victor Wembanyama’s return from concussion protocol dominated the headlines—and rightfully so, given his 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, and four steals—the Spurs’ victory was a team effort. And no one embodied that more than De’Aaron Fox.

The veteran guard, who joined the Spurs in a midseason trade from the Sacramento Kings, delivered a playoff performance for the ages. Fox finished with 28 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, becoming the first Spurs player in franchise history to post those exact numbers in a postseason game. His ability to control the tempo, attack the rim, and hit midrange jumpers kept Portland’s defense off balance all night.

“De’Aaron was the engine,” Johnson said. “He ran the offense to perfection, and when he’s playing like that, it makes everyone else’s job easier.”

Fox’s 28 points were a playoff career high, surpassing his previous best of 24 set earlier this season. But it wasn’t just the scoring that stood out—it was the efficiency. Fox shot 11-of-19 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range, including a pair of clutch triples in the third quarter that helped spark the Spurs’ run.

Wembanyama’s Dominance in the Paint

Wembanyama’s return was the story the NBA world was waiting for, and the 22-year-old phenom did not disappoint. After missing Game 3 due to a concussion sustained in Game 2, Wembanyama was cleared to play just hours before tipoff, and his impact was immediate.

Portland’s centers—Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan—had feasted on the Spurs’ interior defense in Wembanyama’s absence, but with the Kia Defensive Player of the Year patrolling the paint, the Trail Blazers managed just 12 points in the paint in the second half. Wembanyama’s seven blocks were the most by a Spurs player in a playoff game since Tim Duncan in 2010, and his four steals tied a franchise record for a single postseason contest.

“He’s a game-changer,” Fox said of Wembanyama. “When he’s on the floor, it’s a different team. We feed off his energy, and he makes everyone around him better.”

What’s Next for the Spurs?

With a 3-1 series lead, the Spurs are one win away from advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in seven years. Game 5 is set for Tuesday at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. Local time).

For a team with a roster comprised almost entirely of players who had never won a playoff series before this year, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A victory in Game 5 would not only send the Spurs to the second round but also mark the first playoff series win for coach Mitch Johnson, who took over the team midseason after the firing of Gregg Popovich.

The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are facing elimination for the second time in three years. Portland’s young core—led by rookie sensation Scoot Henderson and second-year forward Deni Avdija—will need to find answers quickly if they hope to extend the series. Avdija, who had a heated exchange with Fox in Game 2, was held to just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting in Game 4.

Key Takeaways from Game 4

• Historic Comeback: The Spurs became the first team in NBA playoff history to overcome a 15-plus-point halftime deficit and win by 15 or more points.
• Fox’s Playoff Career Night: De’Aaron Fox scored 28 points, the most in a playoff game in his career, while adding seven assists, six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
• Wembanyama’s Defensive Masterclass: Victor Wembanyama recorded seven blocks and four steals in his return from concussion protocol, anchoring the Spurs’ second-half surge.
• Second-Half Dominance: San Antonio outscored Portland 65-39 in the second half, holding the Trail Blazers to 16 points in the third quarter.
• One Win Away: The Spurs are now one victory from advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

How to Follow the Series

Game 5 of the Spurs-Trail Blazers first-round series will tip off on Tuesday, April 29, at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. Local time) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and streamed live on the NBA App.

For real-time updates, follow the Spurs’ official social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram) and the NBA’s playoff hub (NBA.com/playoffs).

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