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Two Teams, One Last Shot at the Postseason
As the NBA regular season nears its close, Sunday’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs may not have the glitter of a primetime showdown—but make no mistake, it’s a must-win for both sides.
Neither team has been mathematically eliminated from the Western Conference playoff picture, but the margin for error is gone. For the loser, postseason dreams likely vanish. For the winner? A lifeline, however slim.
Portland’s Injury-Plagued Grit
The Blazers (34-44) are in a deeper hole but technically still within reach of the 10th-place Sacramento Kings. After a 118-113 loss in Chicago Friday night, Portland sits 3.5 games behind the final play-in spot with just four games left. And the Kings own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
To keep their playoff hopes flickering, Portland must:
- Win all four remaining games
- Hope Sacramento loses all five of its remaining games
It’s a long shot—but not impossible.
Deni Avdija and the Next-Man-Up Mentality
Despite being ravaged by injuries to Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, and Scoot Henderson, the Blazers continue to show resilience.
On Friday, it was Deni Avdija who stepped up big time, pouring in 37 points and 11 rebounds. Dalano Banton added 21 points, Shaedon Sharpe chipped in 17, and rookie Donovan Clingan pulled down 18 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards.
Portland also committed just 5 turnovers—a season-low—while scoring 20 second-chance points.
“Our offensive rebounds really hurt Chicago throughout the night,” said coach Chauncey Billups. “We didn’t shoot well, but those extra efforts kept us in the fight.”
Despite dropping five of their last seven, Portland remains a tough out—especially at home.
Spurs Show Resilience, Not Results
The Spurs (32-45) may be ahead of Portland in the standings, but their path is just as steep. After a gut-wrenching 114-113 loss to Cleveland on Friday—where they stormed back from a 23-point hole—San Antonio sits five games behind the Kings with five games left.
That means the Spurs need to win out—and still get some help from other teams in the West.
Acting coach Mitch Johnson praised his players for their never-quit attitude after Friday’s near-miracle finish:
“They’ve found a way not to go away. That’s rewarding as a coach. You just wish that last shot had gone down.”
A Young Core Showing Maturity
Friday’s performance showcased the potential of San Antonio’s young talent:
- Devin Vassell led with 24 points
- Harrison Barnes added 23, including a crucial miss at the buzzer
- Stephon Castle flirted with a triple-double: 22 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds
- Julian Champagnie added 15 points
The issue? Slow starts. The Spurs trailed by 23 in the second quarter and 16 in the fourth, and it was too much to overcome.
“We did a better job fighting in the second half,” Barnes said. “But the deficit we created—that’s where we need to grow.”
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Season Series: Spurs Have Owned the Matchup
San Antonio has won all three matchups against Portland this season:
- Nov 7 (Home): W
- Dec 13 (Away): W
- Dec 21 (Home): W
They’ll now try for a clean 4-0 sweep.
It’s rare that a season series has such high stakes this late in the year between two teams below .500—but in the case of these two, a win Sunday is about more than just revenge or bragging rights. It’s survival.
What To Watch: Keys to the Game
For Portland:
- Can Avdija and Clingan replicate their high-level production?
- Will they continue to dominate the offensive glass?
- Can Banton and Sharpe provide consistent scoring support?
For San Antonio:
- Can Castle and Vassell control the backcourt pace?
- Will the team avoid another slow start?
- Can the Spurs defend the paint and stop Portland’s second-chance hustle?
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The Big Picture: Hope Isn’t Dead… Yet
Let’s be real: both teams are longshots to make the play-in. But that’s the beauty of this moment—it still matters. For young teams like Portland and San Antonio, games like this can shape next season’s identity and tell coaches a lot about who’s ready to compete under pressure.
It’s also a great time to evaluate future stars, build confidence, and experiment with rotations.
See upcoming Western Conference matchups
Final Word: Fight Until the End
The Spurs and Blazers are limping toward the finish line, but their spirit isn’t broken. Sunday’s matchup is more than just another regular season game—it’s a battle for pride, potential, and one last shot at something bigger.
There’s no time left to ease into it. Whoever comes out on top will live to fight another day—and whoever doesn’t may start their offseason by Monday morning.
