Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle Lead Spurs Past Blazers
Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 3 2026
The San Antonio Spurs secured a pivotal 120-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Friday, April 24, 2026. This win allowed the Spurs to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference matchup despite playing without their superstar center Victor Wembanyama.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year remained sidelined while following the league’s concussion protocol after an injury sustained earlier in the week. In his absence, the young core of the Spurs roster stepped up to deliver a resilient performance on the road at the Moda Center. The victory highlights the depth of the San Antonio squad as they navigate the postseason without their primary defensive anchor. Fans can find the latest playoff brackets and team statistics through the official NBA website.
Stephon Castle led the offensive charge for San Antonio by scoring a game-high 33 points and displaying elite composure under pressure. The versatile guard consistently attacked the rim and converted crucial shots during the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Fellow young star Dylan Harper provided exceptional support by recording a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Harper’s aggressive play in transition helped the Spurs maintain their momentum during a high-scoring second half. The duo combined for 60 points to outduel the Portland backcourt in a game that many analysts predicted would favor the home team.
Detailed player breakdowns and advanced shooting metrics for both Castle and Harper are available for review on the Basketball Reference platform. The Portland Trail Blazers appeared to be in control early in the game as they sought to celebrate their first home playoff appearance since 2021.
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday led the Blazers with 29 points and helped his team build a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter. However, the Spurs responded with a massive 21-5 scoring run to reclaim the lead before the start of the final period. Portland struggled to contain the perimeter speed of San Antonio and committed several key turnovers during the critical late-game stretch.
Despite the loud support from the Oregon crowd, the Blazers were unable to capitalize on the absence of Wembanyama in the paint. Historical head-to-head records and recent series trends between these two franchises are documented by ESPN Sports. Looking ahead to Game 4 on Sunday, the health of Victor Wembanyama remains the central storyline for the remainder of the series.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson indicated that the center is progressing through the recovery steps but gave no definitive timeline for his return to the court. San Antonio will look to carry the momentum from this road victory into the next contest to potentially move within one win of the second round.
Portland must find a defensive solution for Harper and Castle if they hope to even the series before returning to Texas for Game 5. The evolving injury reports and official league updates regarding the Western Conference playoffs are being monitored by Reuters and other major international news outlets.
