Short-Handed Spurs Defeat Trail Blazers 112-101

De'Aaron Fox scores 25 points to lead San Antonio to victory without injured stars Wembanyama and Castle.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:08am

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring vibrant neon brushstrokes and splatters of color, capturing the intense energy and movement of a basketball game between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.The Spurs' depth and determination shine through in a high-energy victory over the Trail Blazers, showcasing the team's resilience in the face of key injuries.San Antonio Today

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 112-101 on Wednesday night, despite missing key players Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle due to injuries. De'Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 25 points, while Keldon Johnson added 20 points. The Spurs have the best record in the NBA since February 1st at 28-3. Portland's Deni Avdija scored 27 points and Scoot Henderson added 20 in the loss.

Why it matters

The Spurs' strong play without their top two players demonstrates the team's depth and resilience, keeping them in contention for a high playoff seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers' loss keeps them in a tight battle for a postseason berth.

The details

The Spurs got off to a slow start but De'Aaron Fox quickly got them going, scoring 10 points in the first 4 minutes. San Antonio closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run to take a double-digit lead, and they pulled away in the second half with a 13-2 run to close the third quarter. The Spurs had six players score in double figures to offset the absences of Wembanyama and Castle.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • Wembanyama suffered a bruised rib on Monday and is expected to return on Friday.
  • Castle is out with right knee soreness and his status for Friday's game is unclear.

The players

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs' starting point guard who led the team with 25 points in the win.

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' star rookie who missed the game with a bruised rib and needs to play at least 20 minutes in one more game to reach the league-required minimum of 65 games for award eligibility.

Stephon Castle

The Spurs' other rookie who missed the game with right knee soreness.

Deni Avdija

The Trail Blazers' starting forward who scored a team-high 27 points in the loss.

Scoot Henderson

The Trail Blazers' starting guard who scored 20 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play hard and execute even when our top players are out. This team has shown it can win in different ways.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

What’s next

The Spurs will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, April 11, 2026, while the Trail Blazers will host the Los Angeles Clippers on the same day. Both teams are fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

The Spurs' depth and resilience have been on full display during their impressive run since February, keeping them in contention for a top seed in the West despite injuries to their star players. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers' loss keeps them in a tight battle for a playoff spot, underscoring the competitiveness of the Western Conference this season.