It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but on a night when legs were heavy and the rotation was tested, the Portland Trail Blazers found a way.
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back is never a recipe for aesthetic basketball. Yet, inside the Frost Bank Center on Saturday night, the Blazers managed to grind out a 115-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. While the Spurs were shorthanded—missing the alien-like presence of Victor Wembanyama due to knee soreness—they refused to go away quietly. But ultimately, Portland had just enough firepower, fueled by a career night from its frontcourt of the future.
Deni Avdija, celebrating his 25th birthday, gifted himself and the fanbase a performance to remember. The forward was the engine of the offense, tallying a massive triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Alongside him, sophomore sensation Donovan Clingan looked every bit the lottery pick he was drafted to be, anchoring the paint with a career-high 24 points and 12 boards.
For a Blazers team looking to establish an identity, this win showcased resilience. They took San Antonio’s best punch in the third quarter, responded with a knockout run, and executed just enough down the stretch to leave Texas with a win.
Avdija and Clingan Anchor the Attack
In a league dominated by guard play, Saturday night was a testament to Portland’s size and versatility. Avdija was simply everywhere. He wasn’t just scoring; he was orchestrating. His ability to grab a rebound, push the pace in transition, and find open shooters was the difference-maker in a game that often felt like a mud fight.
“Feelin’ good after this one,” the team shared on social media, highlighting a walk-off interview with Clingan. And rightfully so.
Clingan, the 7-foot-2 center out of UConn, was a force around the rim. He shot an efficient 9-of-12 from the field and even stretched the floor, knocking down three triples. His chemistry with Avdija is starting to bubble to the surface, giving the Blazers a devastating inside-out punch that opponents are struggling to scheme against. When Clingan wasn’t dunking, he was cleaning the glass, helping Portland dominate the rebounding battle 52-48.
Toumani Camara quietly added 20 points and eight rebounds, providing the glue-guy energy that has made him indispensable to the rotation. When the stars needed help, Camara was there to hit the timely cutter or grab the offensive board.
Blazers Weather the Third Quarter Storm
The game flow was erratic, typical of two tired teams. Portland controlled the first half, but the Spurs came out of the locker room with renewed energy. Without Wembanyama or Devin Vassell, San Antonio turned to an unlikely duo: Luke Kornet and Julian Champagnie.
Kornet, usually a role player, looked like an All-Star for stretches, finishing with 23 points and five blocks. His rim protection stifled several Portland drives, including a pivotal block on an Avdija layup late in the game. Champagnie added 20 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Spurs claw back from a deficit to take a brief 74-71 lead midway through the third quarter.
Momentum seemed to be shifting toward the home team. The crowd was into it, and Portland’s offense had stalled.
But great teams—or teams learning to be great—respond. The Blazers immediately answered with a blistering 12-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, turning a three-point deficit into a 93-80 lead. That burst proved to be the cushion they needed. It took the wind out of the sails of the Spurs’ comeback bid and re-established Portland’s control over the tempo.
Three-Point Shooting Separates the Sides
If you look at the box score, one statistic screams louder than the rest: three-point efficiency. In the modern NBA, math wins games, and the Blazers won the math battle decisively.
Portland scorched the nets from deep, hitting 19 of their 45 attempts (42.2%). Whether it was Avdija pulling up in transition or Clingan popping out to the top of the key, the Blazers found their rhythm. Conversely, the Spurs couldn’t buy a bucket from downtown. San Antonio struggled mightily, connecting on just 10 of 31 attempts (32.3%).
Despite the shooting woes, the Spurs made it interesting late. A steal and a dunk cut the Blazers’ lead to a razor-thin 111-110 with just 1:36 remaining. It was squeaky-bum time for Portland. But unlike previous iterations of this squad that might have folded under pressure, this group locked in. They secured key rebounds, forced tough shots from De’Aaron Fox (19 points) and Stephon Castle, and hit their free throws when it mattered.
A Birthday to Remember
As the buzzer sounded, the relief was palpable. The Blazers had survived. In his postgame walk-off interview, Avdija beamed, acknowledging the “birthday dub.” It’s nights like these—gritty, unglamorous, but successful—that build culture.
Portland moves on with consecutive wins, building momentum as they head deeper into the winter schedule. For the Spurs, it’s a moral victory in a season full of them, proving they can compete even without their generational superstar. But for the Blazers, it’s proof that their young core is starting to figure out how to win close games.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
