Blazers Prepare for Spurs' Towering Playoff Weapon Wembanyama

The 7-foot-5 center has been sidelined with injuries all season, but now poses a major challenge for Portland in the first-round playoff matchup.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:26pm by

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the towering figure of a basketball player in motion, with sharp geometric planes of navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a sense of dynamism and energy on the court.The Blazers' defense will need to employ a variety of strategies to try to contain Spurs' unicorn Wembanyama in their first-round playoff matchup.Portland Today

The Portland Trail Blazers are gearing up to face the San Antonio Spurs' star center Victor Wembanyama in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Wembanyama, a 7-foot-5 unicorn who can shoot, handle the ball, and protect the rim, has missed all three regular season meetings between the teams due to injuries. But the Blazers know they'll have their hands full trying to slow down the likely Defensive Player of the Year and one of the league's most versatile players.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism presents a major matchup problem for the Blazers. As one of the best defensive teams in the league, Portland will need to employ a variety of strategies to try to contain the towering Frenchman. This series could come down to how well the Blazers' centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III can disrupt Wembanyama's dominant two-way game.

The details

Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per game this season, while shooting 51% from the field and 35% from three-point range. He led the NBA in blocks and ranked fourth in rebounding. The Blazers' Clingan, who faced Wembanyama three times last season, says the Spurs' center is one of the toughest players to guard, ranking him up there with Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Portland's two-headed center rotation of the young Clingan and veteran Williams will be crucial in trying to slow down Wembanyama.

  • The Blazers and Spurs open their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 16, 2026.
  • Wembanyama missed all three regular season meetings between the teams due to injuries.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 7-foot-5 center for the San Antonio Spurs who is considered one of the most unique and dominant players in the NBA. He is the frontrunner to win Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in blocks and ranking fourth in rebounding.

Donovan Clingan

The Portland Trail Blazers' second-year center who will be tasked with trying to slow down Wembanyama. Clingan faced Wembanyama three times last season and says the Spurs' center is one of the toughest players to guard in the league.

Robert Williams III

The veteran center for the Portland Trail Blazers who, along with Clingan, will form a formidable defensive duo to try to contain Wembanyama. Williams earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“Of course Wembanyama is a big emphasis for us. He brings something different that other teams don't have. So we've got to be ready for that. He's a 7-5 guy that can handle the ball, shoot, guard the rim, guard the perimeter. So all those little things. I mean, it's not a secret, he's a very good player.”

— Tiago Splitter, Acting Coach, Portland Trail Blazers

“Up there with (Nikola) Jokic, (Joel) Embiid. Guys who can really handle the ball, shoot those step-backs, drive from three-point-line to the basket, (use) off-dribble moves. He's definitely up there.”

— Donovan Clingan, Center, Portland Trail Blazers

What’s next

The Blazers and Spurs will tip off their first-round playoff series on Sunday, April 16, 2026 in San Antonio.

The takeaway

The Blazers' ability to slow down Wembanyama and contain his unique skill set will be the key to their chances of advancing past the first round. Portland's two-headed center rotation of Clingan and Williams provides them with the size, length, and defensive prowess to potentially disrupt the Spurs' towering unicorn, but it will take a collective team effort to try to slow down one of the NBA's most dominant players.