Avdija’s Trail Blazers on the ropes as Spurs come from behind to take 3-1 lead in NBA playoff series

By AP and ToI Staff 27 April 2026, 1:54 am

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes for the ball as San Antonio Spurs center/forward Luke Kornet (7) looks on during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Portland, Oregon, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Deni Avdija’s Portland Trail Blazers lose 93-114 to the San Antonio Spurs after losing a 19-point lead, with Victor Wembanyama’s side taking a 3-1 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series — just one victory away from winning the series.

Wembanyama had 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in his return from a concussion. De’Aaron Fox added 28 points for the Spurs, who will return home for Game 5 on Tuesday night.

Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 26 points. There was tense moment with 2:13 left when Avdija and Stephon Castle exchanged shoves. They were given offsetting technical fouls.

Portland went ahead 45-28 in the first half on an 18-3 run. Robert Williams III dunked before a pair of quick 3-pointers from Jerami Grant and Scoot Henderson. Avdija capped the run with a fadeaway jumper.

The Blazers led by as many as 19 in the half and were ahead 58-41 at the break.

The Spurs went on a 13-0 run to open the second half, and the game was knotted at 74 going into the fourth quarter. Fox and Keldon Johnson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Spurs up 90-77 with 7:14 left.

Johnson’s dunk with 4:31 remaining made it 101-81 for San Antonio and all but sealed the win.