The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a dramatic 118-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on January 3, 2026, in a close matchup at the Frost Bank Center. Despite missing star center Victor Wembanyama due to knee soreness, San Antonio’s balanced scoring attack proved too much for the visitors.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Spurs defeated Trail Blazers 118-116 in a one-possession thriller
- De’Aaron Fox led San Antonio with 24 points in the Spurs’ second consecutive victory
- Portland’s Deni Avdija scored 34 points and distributed 11 assists in the losing effort
- San Antonio won without Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell sidelined with injuries
Spurs Overcome Injuries with Balanced Attack
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The San Antonio Spurs proved their depth when it matters most, securing their second straight victory despite missing two key contributors. Coming off a 123-113 win over Indiana on Friday, the Spurs showed resilience by adapting to life without Wembanyama and Vassell.
De’Aaron Fox led the charge with 24 points, while Dylan Harper added 22 points and Stephon Castle notched 19 points with eight rebounds and eight assists. The balanced scoring approach has become a hallmark of San Antonio’s season, with different players stepping up each night.
Trail Blazers Battle but Fall Just Short
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Portland mounted a strong scoring effort led by Deni Avdija, who dominated with 34 points and 11 assists in the matchup. The Trail Blazers showed they could compete with a top-tier opponent, keeping the game tight throughout.
Shaedon Sharpe contributed 23 points, Caleb Love scored 22 points, and Donovan Clingan provided 11 points and 15 rebounds. Despite the strong individual performances, Portland couldn’t secure the road victory against a disciplined Spurs team fighting through injury challenges.
| Team | Score | Key Performer |
| San Antonio Spurs | 118 | De’Aaron Fox – 24 points |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 116 | Deni Avdija – 34 points, 11 assists |
Wembanyama Sidelined with Knee Injury
Victor Wembanyama was ruled out before the game due to knee soreness sustained in San Antonio’s loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Spurs’ star center, averaging 24.3 points and shooting 52.5 percent from the field this season, remains a crucial component of their championship aspirations.
Devin Vassell also missed the contest with a left adductor strain in his second consecutive absence. Despite these injuries, the Spurs showcased the balanced attack that has propelled them to the second-best record in the Western Conference at 25-9 following this victory.
“You aren’t going to play well every game. Even in a week, you’re probably going to play bad once. When you go through those slumps, you have to be professional. You still show up. You still work on your craft, and when your number is called, you still have to try to produce.”
— De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Spurs continue their home stand and look to build momentum as they fight for playoff positioning. With Wembanyama and Vassell expected to return soon, San Antonio will have their full arsenal available for the stretch run of the season.
Portland’s loss drops them to 15-20 on the season, sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference. The Trail Blazers will look to regroup and continue the improvements shown under interim coach Tiago Splitter, who has the team playing competitive basketball after the rough early season stretch.
Sources
- ESPN – Live score and game statistics
- NBA.com – Official game recap and player performance data
- Associated Press – Pre-game injury report and team updates
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.