Healthy Blazers Aim to Surprise Spurs in First Round

Despite being heavy underdogs, Portland's elite defense and star power could make their series with San Antonio more competitive than expected.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:05pm by

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs, with the players' forms fractured and overlapping in a vibrant, abstract composition.The Blazers' underdog spirit and defensive intensity could make their first-round playoff matchup with the Spurs more competitive than expected.Portland Today

The Portland Trail Blazers enter the NBA playoffs as heavy underdogs against the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs, who had the second-best record in the league this season. However, the Blazers are finally healthy after an injury-plagued regular season, boasting a top-ranked defense over the final stretch and an All-Star caliber performance from Deni Avdija that led them to a surprising play-in win over the Phoenix Suns. Though few outside of Portland's locker room expect the Blazers to put up much of a fight, the team is embracing the underdog role and believes their defensive intensity and star power could make the series more competitive than anticipated.

Why it matters

The Blazers' first playoff appearance in five years is a testament to their perseverance through a season marred by injuries and the departure of their former head coach. If they can push the powerhouse Spurs, it would raise the profile of this young, scrappy Portland squad and potentially set them up for greater success in the future.

The details

After laboring through an injury-riddled regular season that saw 14 players miss a combined 398 games, the Blazers are finally healthy heading into the playoffs. The return of key players like Shaedon Sharpe, Vit Krejci, and Jerami Grant gives coach Tiago Splitter a full complement of weapons to deploy. The Blazers have also emerged as one of the league's stingiest defensive teams over the final 14 games, posting the NBA's best defensive rating during that stretch. Their length, athleticism, and intensity on that end of the floor could pose problems for the high-powered Spurs offense.

  • The Blazers secured their playoff berth on the final day of the regular season.
  • Sharpe returned on April 10 after a 28-game injury absence.
  • Krejci returned on April 12 after a 13-game injury absence.
  • Grant returned against the Suns after a seven-game injury absence.

The players

Deni Avdija

A 2026 NBA All-Star who is coming off a dominant performance in the play-in game, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game this season.

Donovan Clingan

The Blazers' starting center, who has been a defensive anchor alongside Robert Williams III.

Tiago Splitter

The Blazers' interim head coach, who has had to navigate a season filled with injuries but now has a healthy roster at his disposal.

Toumani Camara

A versatile defender who has been a key part of the Blazers' stifling late-season defense.

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' 7-foot-4 superstar rookie, who is widely considered one of the best players in the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“I'm glad that we have everybody now. We have different cards to play with. We can go small, we can go (with) double bigs, we can do different things on the court.”

— Tiago Splitter, Blazers Interim Head Coach

“People didn't predict us beating the Suns as well. The predictions are only the predictions. I feel like not a lot of people, especially around the league, know our capabilities and our talent very well. I think we're a dangerous team. I think we have the talent. Obviously we come as an underdog, but we're going to go out there and compete and we're not backing up and we're not scared of anybody. I really believe in the guys and I think we're better than what we've shown this season.”

— Deni Avdija, Blazers All-Star Forward

“Being the underdog. I feel like we thrive in that area. I feel like being an underdog, being undervalued, knowing what we're capable of doing; to be honest, we don't really pay attention to all the outside noise. We really focus on ourselves and very happy to be to be part of this situation.”

— Toumani Camara, Blazers Defensive Specialist

What’s next

The Blazers and Spurs will tip off their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 15th in San Antonio.

The takeaway

Despite being heavy underdogs, the Blazers' stifling late-season defense, star power led by Deni Avdija, and embrace of the underdog role could make their series with the Spurs more competitive than many expect. If Portland can pull off the upset, it would be a major statement for this young team and set them up for greater success in the future.