Portland, Ore. (AP) — In a nail-biting encounter on Friday night, Victor Wembanyama once again showcased his star power, scoring 28 points and sinking two free throws with just 2.1 seconds remaining, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a thrilling 118-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
With the game on the line, Blazers’ forward Jerami Grant tied the score at 116 with a layup, but his foul on Wembanyama allowed the young star to step up and seal the game at the charity stripe.
Despite a substantial lead by the Blazers at various points in the match, including a 17-point advantage in the last period, the Spurs clawed back. They had tied the game at 109, thanks to Jeremy Sochan’s free throw, setting the stage for Julian Champagnie’s timely three-pointer that shifted momentum in favor of San Antonio with just over two minutes left.
The Spurs were navigating a difficult situation with only 11 available players due to injuries, including the loss of veteran guard Chris Paul, who was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in the first half.
At halftime, the Spurs had a 52-42 lead, but Grant turned the tide upon returning from the locker room. He made a significant impact, finishing the night with 32 points and impressively shooting 8 of 10 from beyond the arc, especially lighting it up in the third quarter with 22 points.
Along with Grant, Anfernee Simons added 30 points for the Trail Blazers, while Devin Vassell contributed 23 points off the bench for the Spurs. The final quarter’s high stakes came from rapid scoring, with Portland entering the frame leading 88-80.
Key Moments
The game took a pivotal turn in the first quarter when Paul was ejected, leaving the Spurs with only ten players, which significantly impacted their rotations.
In a noteworthy scene, Blazers rookie Donovan Clingan made his comeback following a seven-game absence due to a knee injury, eliciting applause from the crowd.
Upcoming Games: The Spurs will host the Minnesota Timberwolves next, aiming to build on this momentum, while the Trail Blazers will be looking to rebound against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
For highlights and more information, check the NBA website.
