Spurs capitalize on Victor Wembanyama’s return as they capture 3-1 series lead over Blazers

Victor Wembanyama made an immediate impact upon his return from a concussion, delivering 27 points, 11 rebounds and 7 blocks to power the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The win gave the Spurs a 3-1 series lead and put them within one win of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.

After missing Game 3 due to the concussion he suffered in Game 2, Wembanyama returned to the lineup for the Spurs and quickly asserted his dominance. Despite a slow start that saw Portland build a 17-point halftime lead (58-41), the Spurs rallied in the second half behind their star center. Wembanyama’s performance was particularly notable in the third quarter, where he helped spark a 33-16 run that completely shifted the momentum of the game.

The French prospect finished the game shooting 9-for-17 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line, making all 8 of his attempts. In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Wembanyama recorded 7 blocks, 4 steals and 3 assists although playing 24 minutes. His defensive presence was crucial as the Spurs held the Blazers to just 16 points in the third quarter after allowing 58 in the first half.

Wembanyama was not the only Spur to have a significant impact, as De’Aaron Fox added 28 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists to complement the young star’s performance. The duo combined for 55 points as the Spurs shot 50 percent from the field as a team. Portland struggled offensively throughout the game, shooting just 38 percent and committing 15 turnovers that the Spurs converted into 20 points.

The victory marked the Spurs’ second consecutive win after dropping the first two games of the series to the Blazers. With the win, San Antonio improved to 3-1 in the best-of-seven series and will look to close out the series in Game 5, which is scheduled to be played in San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A win in Game 5 would send the Spurs to the Western Conference semifinals to face the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.

For the Blazers, the loss was a disappointing setback after they had taken a 2-1 series lead following their victory in Game 3. Portland will now necessitate to win two consecutive games just to force a Game 7, a difficult task considering the Spurs’ strong performance in Games 3 and 4. The Blazers will look to regroup and make adjustments ahead of Game 5, which will be played at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

As the series shifts back to San Antonio, the Spurs will look to capitalize on their home-court advantage and the momentum gained from Wembanyama’s return. The young French star has quickly become the cornerstone of the Spurs’ franchise, and his performance in Game 4 showed why he is considered one of the most promising young talents in the NBA. With his combination of size, skill and defensive versatility, Wembanyama presents a unique challenge for opposing teams that the Spurs will look to exploit as they aim to advance deeper into the playoffs.