Trail Blazers edge out Spurs 134-128 in Wembanyama’s absence

The Portland Trail Blazers edged out the San Antonio Spurs 134-128 to split a two-game set on Friday night.

ending 2023 with a ✨W✨ pic.twitter.com/jizrqCWs14

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 30, 2023

San Antonio were without rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and the Portland team took full advantage of that. The 19-year-old was rested for the second back-to-back game as a precaution after rolling an ankle earlier this month.

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Jeremi Grant and Malcolm Brogdon were the highest scorers for Portland with 27 points each.

Jabari Walker scored a career-high 25 points, and rookie Scoot Henderson added 21 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

Keldon Johnson led the way for San Antonio with 27 points, which was always on the back foot.

“I thought we played horrendously, getting down by 26,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “They made shots, we didn’t make them, that’s the NBA. But their physicality, I thought, was great. Chauncey had them ready. They didn’t want to have a night like last night.”