NBA Roundup: De’Aaron Fox Ignites Fourth Quarter as Spurs Close Out Blazers in Game 5

The San Antonio Spurs are officially back. For the first time since the 2016-17 season, the silver and black will advance past the first round of the NBA playoffs. On Tuesday night, the second-seeded Spurs used a dominant fourth-quarter performance from De’Aaron Fox and a defensive masterclass from Victor Wembanyama to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-95, securing a 4-1 series victory.

This was not a walk in the park. The Blazers, led by a gritty effort from Deni Avdija, hung around for three quarters. But when the pressure mounted, Fox took over. He scored 13 of his 21 points in the final frame, dishing out a game-high nine assists while orchestrating an offense that simply overwhelmed Portland’s defense.

Let’s break down how the Spurs closed the door, what this means for their upcoming series, and a quick look at the rest of the NBA playoff action.

Fox and Wembanyama: The Two-Headed Monster Delivers

The narrative all season has been about the pairing of a savvy veteran point guard and a generational rookie. In Game 5, that narrative became a reality. Victor Wembanyama finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocked shots. But the box score doesn’t tell the full story. The 7-foot-4 phenom altered nearly every shot that came near the paint. Portland shot just 35.1% from the field, a testament to Wembanyama’s gravitational pull on defense.

Meanwhile, De’Aaron Fox played the role of closer. After a quiet first half, Fox turned up the aggression in the fourth quarter. He attacked the rim relentlessly, drew fouls, and knocked down mid-range jumpers that silenced any Blazers momentum. His ability to control the pace in high-leverage moments is exactly why the Spurs traded for him.

• Fox’s Fourth Quarter: 13 points, 4 assists, 5-of-7 shooting.
• Wembanyama’s Impact: 6 blocks, 14 rebounds, and a plus-minus of +18.
• Spurs Shooting: 54.7% from the floor as a team.

“He’s a killer,” Wembanyama said of Fox after the game. “When the game slows down for him, it speeds up for everyone else.”

Julian Champagnie: The Unsung Hero

While the stars shined, it was Julian Champagnie who provided the spark that kept the Spurs afloat during Portland’s best stretches. The third-year wing poured in 19 points on efficient shooting, hitting four three-pointers and playing solid perimeter defense. Champagnie’s emergence in this series has been a revelation for San Antonio. He gives them a reliable third scoring option who can space the floor and guard multiple positions.

In a series where the Blazers tried to trap Fox and double-team Wembanyama, Champagnie made them pay. His movement off the ball and quick release were critical in breaking Portland’s defensive schemes.

Key stat: Champagnie shot 44% from three-point range in the series, making him the most dangerous catch-and-shoot threat on the roster.

Deni Avdija Fights, But Blazers Fall Short

Portland’s season ends with a whimper, but not without a fight. Deni Avdija was the best player on the floor for long stretches, finishing with a game-high 22 points. He attacked the basket with force and knocked down contested jumpers. However, the supporting cast simply didn’t show up. Anfernee Simons struggled with efficiency, and the Blazers’ bench was outscored by a wide margin.

The biggest issue? Portland could not buy a bucket. Shooting 35.1% from the floor is a recipe for elimination. The Blazers generated decent looks, but Wembanyama’s length and the Spurs’ switching defense forced them into tough, contested shots all night.

• Blazers Shooting: 35.1% FG, 28.6% from three.
• Avdija’s Effort: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists.
• Series Conclusion: Spurs win 4-1.

For the Blazers, this is a painful but necessary step. They showed flashes of potential in Game 3, but the lack of playoff experience and depth was exposed by a Spurs team that is built for the moment.

Looking Ahead: Spurs vs. Nuggets or Timberwolves

The Spurs now await the winner of the Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves series. Currently, Denver holds a 3-2 lead, with Game 6 scheduled in Minnesota. Either opponent presents a unique challenge.

If it’s Denver: The Spurs would face Nikola Jokic, the league’s MVP candidate. This would be a clash of styles—San Antonio’s length and switching defense vs. Denver’s elite half-court offense. Wembanyama vs. Jokic is the matchup everyone wants to see. The key for San Antonio will be containing Jamal Murray and forcing Jokic into a scoring duel rather than a playmaking one.

If it’s Minnesota: The Timberwolves present a defensive nightmare with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. However, Minnesota has struggled with consistency. The Spurs’ guard play—especially Fox—could exploit the Timberwolves’ perimeter defense. San Antonio’s ability to space the floor and attack off the dribble would be a major advantage.

Expert Prediction: The Spurs match up better against the Timberwolves. Their speed and shooting could expose Minnesota’s slow-footed bigs. Against Denver, it’s a coin flip. But if Wembanyama continues to block shots at this rate, the Spurs have a legitimate chance to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Around the League: Embiid Keeps Sixers Alive

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers avoided elimination thanks to a vintage performance from Joel Embiid. The reigning MVP dropped 33 points and added eight assists as the visiting Sixers beat the Boston Celtics in Game 5. Philadelphia now trails the series 3-2, but they have momentum heading back home for Game 6.

Embiid was aggressive from the opening tip, drawing fouls and punishing Boston’s smaller defenders. The Celtics, who looked dominant in Games 3 and 4, struggled to contain Embiid in the pick-and-roll. If Philadelphia can get consistent production from Tyrese Maxey and James Harden, this series could go the distance.

• Embiid’s Line: 33 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds.
• Series Status: Celtics lead 3-2.
• Next Game: Game 6 in Philadelphia.

The Celtics remain the favorites, but Embiid reminded everyone why he is the most unstoppable force in the East when healthy.

Conclusion: The Spurs Are Real Contenders

Let’s not mince words: The San Antonio Spurs are a legitimate threat to win the Western Conference. The combination of De’Aaron Fox’s clutch scoring and Victor Wembanyama’s defensive dominance is a nightmare for any opponent. Add in the steady contributions from Julian Champagnie and a deep bench, and you have a team that is peaking at exactly the right time.

For the Blazers, this is a building block. Deni Avdija proved he can be a cornerstone, and the young core gained invaluable playoff experience. But this night belongs to San Antonio. The Spurs are back in the second round, and they have the talent to go even further.

Final Thought: Watch out for the Spurs in the conference semifinals. If Wembanyama keeps blocking shots and Fox keeps closing games, this could be the start of a new dynasty in Texas.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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