Shorthanded Spurs Defeat Blazers Behind Fox's Big Night

San Antonio's depth shines as they win without two starters

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:28am

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant blues, silvers, and reds, dynamically capturing the action and energy of a Spurs basketball game without any identifiable players or logos.The Spurs' depth and teamwork shine through in a cubist-inspired illustration capturing the energy and movement of their shorthanded victory over the Blazers.San Antonio Today

With two key players out, the San Antonio Spurs used a total team effort to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 112-101 on Wednesday night. De'Aaron Fox led the way with 25 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, while Keldon Johnson added 20 points and 8 rebounds. Rookie Carter Bryant also had a career-high 17 points off the bench, hitting 5-of-6 from three-point range.

Why it matters

The Spurs are closing in on a top-2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, and this win without two of their best players shows the depth and versatility of their roster. It also sets up a potential first-round matchup with the Blazers, who are fighting for a playoff spot themselves.

The details

The Spurs were missing Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle due to minor injuries, but they still managed to get contributions from up and down the roster. In addition to Fox, Johnson and Bryant, Luke Kornet had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while rookie Dylan Harper made his third career start and played with confidence. The Spurs' bench outscored Portland's 48-10, showcasing their depth.

  • The Spurs improved to 61-21 on the season, the fourth-most wins in franchise history.
  • This was the Spurs' final home game of the regular season, with two more games left before the playoffs.

The players

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs' star point guard, who led the team with 25 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.

Keldon Johnson

The energetic forward who had 20 points and 8 rebounds off the bench for the Spurs.

Carter Bryant

The Spurs' rookie wing player who scored a career-high 17 points, including 5-of-6 from three-point range.

Luke Kornet

The Spurs' center who filled in admirably for the injured Wembanyama, finishing with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Dylan Harper

The Spurs' rookie guard who made his third career start and played with confidence, showcasing his playmaking ability.

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What they’re saying

“I thought he played within himself in terms of things that we've been talking about and training on. And the ball found him, and he shot in rhythm with confidence when he was open. But he also had... five rebounds, four assists, a steal, a couple appropriate fouls, playing with physicality, and we needed it tonight, and that's what we're looking for him to continue to grow.”

— Keldon Johnson, Spurs Forward

What’s next

The Spurs have two more regular season games left, facing the Mavericks on Friday and the Nuggets on Sunday. Wembanyama is expected to play in at least one of those games to qualify for awards.

The takeaway

The Spurs' depth and versatility were on full display as they were able to overcome the absences of two key players and defeat a tough Blazers team. This win showcases the Spurs' ability to win in different ways, which will serve them well as they prepare for the playoffs.