Victor Wembanyama has offered a dominant presence inside towards the Path Blazers.
Simply 4 video games into the 2026 NBA playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs have aced vital assessments.
They received a recreation during which they trailed by 15 within the third quarter with out Victor Wembanyama and received a recreation during which they trailed by 19 late within the second quarter with their star heart. Additionally they navigated a game-and-a-half with out Wembanyama, who sustained a concussion in Sport 2 towards the Portland Path Blazers.
These are encouraging developments for a younger, gifted roster with minimal playoff expertise and a coach (Mitch Johnson) in his first playoff collection.
Now, they face one other take a look at: eliminating a playoff opponent in a closeout recreation.
Up 3-1 of their first-round Western Convention collection towards the Path Blazers, the Spurs can advance to the convention semifinals with a victory in Sport 5 on Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Listed below are three issues to observe in Sport 5:
1. Can Spurs shut out collection?
Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet are the one Spurs with important playoff expertise. De’Aaron Fox has one prior playoff collection on his resume, however the different key contributors (Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Stephon Fort, Keldon Johnson and rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, and Mitch Johnson) are attempting to get their first collection win.
Thus far, they’ve met the duty. Fort scored 33 factors in Sport 3, whereas Harper had 27 factors and 10 rebounds in Sport 3. Vassell does a little bit of every little thing and generated 11 factors, six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in Sport 4. Keldon Johnson, the Kia Sixth Man of the 12 months, is looking for extra offense however retains opponents trustworthy, and Bryant was excellent in Sport 3 (although the field rating received’t replicate that).
“There’s no jealousy. No one cares about their stat line. It’s our biggest power,” Wembanyama stated.
At residence with a convention semifinals collection towards both Minnesota or Denver on the road, the Spurs get one other probability to point out their development.
2. How can Blazers lengthen collection?
The Path Blazers have had some moments and led by 19 in Sport 4. They simply haven’t been in a position to maintain leads. Portland interim coach Tiago Splitter stated all choices had been on the desk when it got here to the beginning lineup.
One possibility could be to begin Robert Williams III at heart and transfer Donovan Clingan to the bench. Within the collection, the Blazers have been higher offensively and defensively with Williams within the recreation than with Clingan. That might give Portland extra athleticism to match up with the Spurs and Wembanyama.
However it’s not simply on one participant.
The Path Blazers’ bench must be higher, and Scoot Henderson must play extra as he did in Sport 2 (31 factors) and fewer like he did in Sport 4 (zero factors).
With that stated, the Spurs’ third-ranked regular-season protection has had a say in Portland’s offensive points.
3. Wembanyama’s rising management
Within the two full video games Wembanyama has performed within the collection, he’s averaging 31 factors, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, two assists, and two steals, and capturing 57.9% from the sector and 60% from 3-point vary. The Spurs’ success for the rest of the playoffs depends on Wembanyama, and that’s lots to ask from a 22-year-old.
“He was already extraordinarily gifted,” Fox stated. “However utilizing his voice is the most important change that I’ve seen from once I bought right here final 12 months to the start of this 12 months till now. He’s at all times speaking each offensively and defensively scheme-wise. No matter he sees on the court docket, he’s voicing to us. That’s in all probability been the most important development that he’s had this 12 months.”
Coach Mitch Johnson’s perception in Wembanyama is unwavering.
“I’ve discovered to belief that younger man,” Johnson stated. “I’m rolling with him, and the problem now’s for him to proceed to play the way in which he did within the second half (of Sport 4 with 18 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 blocks) for the entire recreation. When he does that, we’ll be powerful. If he doesn’t do this, there’s a ripple impact for our staff, and that’s the duty that comes with being the face of the franchise and one of the best participant.”
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Jeff Zillgitt has coated the NBA since 2008. You possibly can e mail him at jzillgitt@nba.com, discover his archive right here and follow him on X.