Spurs Rally Past Trail Blazers in Game 3 Without Wembanyama, Lakers and Celtics Win
The San Antonio Spurs completed a remarkable comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs first round, overcoming a 16-point third-quarter deficit to win 120-108 at the Moda Center on April 24, 2026. The victory gave San Antonio a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference matchup, achieved without the presence of All-Star center Victor Wembanyama, who remained sidelined due to concussion protocols.
Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper emerged as the unlikely heroes for the Spurs, combining for 60 points to lead San Antonio’s offense. Castle finished with 33 points on 10-for-18 shooting, while Harper contributed 27 points on an efficient 75 percent clip from the field. Their performance marked a historic milestone, as they became only the second duo in NBA history aged 21 or younger to each score 25 or more points in the same playoff game, joining Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook from their 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder days.
The Trail Blazers had entered the game with renewed confidence following their Game 2 victory, during which Wembanyama suffered a concussion. Portland had emphasized physicality as their game plan, with forward Deni Avdija stating prior to tipoff that “whoever is the most physical, that team’s going to win.” However, the Spurs answered with resilience, particularly on the offensive end, where Castle and Harper repeatedly attacked the rim and kicked out to open shooters.
“They were driving and kicking,” Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter said after the game. “They made shots. We tried to get to the rim, but we were not efficient. Not our best night.” Portland struggled offensively, particularly from Avdija, who was held to a series-low 3-for-15 shooting performance by the Spurs’ defensive efforts led by Luke Kornet and Carter Bryant.
Despite holding a 16-point advantage during the third quarter, the Trail Blazers were unable to maintain their lead as San Antonio unleashed a decisive fourth-quarter surge. The Spurs’ bench production proved critical, with Harper’s scoring off the bench placing him among an elite group — he became just the second-youngest player in NBA playoff history to score at least 20 points off the bench, joining an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant.
Following the game, Castle praised his teammate’s impact, saying on the Prime broadcast: “He’s a dawg. He’s super special, I’m happy he’s with us.” The comment underscored the growing chemistry between the young Spurs backcourt, who have been thrust into expanded roles due to Wembanyama’s absence.
Across the league, other playoff action continued on April 24. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a key victory, while the Boston Celtics similarly earned a win in their respective series. These results contributed to a busy Saturday of NBA Playoff games as teams jockeyed for position in the first round.
The Spurs will look to close out the series when they host Game 4 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. A win there would put them on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals, continuing their postseason run despite the absence of their franchise cornerstone. For the Trail Blazers, a return to Portland for Game 5 would be necessary to keep their season alive, should they fail to win on the road in San Antonio.
As the 2026 NBA Playoffs progress, the performance of young players like Castle and Harper highlights the depth and resilience of the Spurs organization. Their ability to win without Wembanyama speaks to the team’s preparation and adaptability — qualities that could prove vital in a long postseason push.
For ongoing updates on the Spurs-Trail Blazers series and all 2026 NBA Playoff action, fans can follow official league channels and team communications for schedules, injury reports, and game summaries.
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Next checkpoint: Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers, scheduled for April 26, 2026, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
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