With Victor Wembanyama out, the fourth quarter was very different.
The Portland Trail Blazers erased a 14-point deficit with a little more than eight minutes to play to upset the San Antonio Spurs, 106-103, tying their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.
Wembanyama was diagnosed with a concussion, and, since Game 3 is just two days away, on Friday, April 24, San Antonio should prepare to be without its All-Star phenom at least one game – if not longer.
Well, the fourth quarter on Tuesday, April 21, was pretty indicative. The Trail Blazers made half of their 20 attempts in the period, and they weren’t shy about working the ball down low; six of their field goals were in the paint and five were literally at the rim. They doubled the Spurs’ output in the paint, scoring 12 points to San Antonio’s 6.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives by Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers and falls hard to the floor in the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 21, 2026 in San Antonio.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) falls to the ground while driving to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) lies on the court after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with guard Stephon Castle (5) after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts beside guard Dylan Harper (2) after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs holds his head after falling to the court against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
1 / 9Spurs' Victor Wembanyama in concussion protocol after hard fallSan Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives by Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers and falls hard to the floor in the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on April 21, 2026 in San Antonio.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) falls to the ground while driving to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) lies on the court after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with guard Stephon Castle (5) after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after falling to the ground during the first half of Game 2 of the first round playoff series at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on April 21, 2026.