4th Quarter Rally Lifts Shorthanded Spurs to Victory Over Trail Blazers

San Antonio will return back to the Lone Star State for a three-game home stand after scraping out a win over the Portland Trail Blazers 118-116 on Friday night.
The Spurs’ found themselves in a hole early on, trailing 2-5 early in the first quarter before tying the game a 15-15 midway through the opening frame. After that, San Antonio continued to build on its lead in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 10-point lead before battling back-and-forth with Portland in what ended up being a late-game thriller.
Portland outscored the Spurs 46-28 in the third quarter and held an 85-80 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Devin Vassell made a fadeaway jumper to tie the game with 12 seconds left to play to take a 116-114 lead. Jeramie Grant would tie the game six seconds later with layup, but a personal foul on Victor Embanyama sent him to the free throw line for two shots and made both to give the Spurs the win.
Wemby knocks down 2 CLUTCH free throws and the @spurs hold on for the win! pic.twitter.com/KW5mMKPyrh
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2024
Second-year center Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Devin Vassell had 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. Julian Champagnie was third in scoring for the Spurs with 19 points and Jeremy Sochan had 15.
Great play from San Antonio 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2024
Champagnie hits again to cap a 24-4 Spurs run!
Watch the finish: https://t.co/KjgeDt3a8X https://t.co/dKVQ6Q0kIY pic.twitter.com/hpIrJ2shYP
San Antonio’s next two games should prove challenging, though. The Spurs will back in action on Sunday when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-11). Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. They’ll then host Atlanta (14-12) on December 19 and Portland again next Saturday to conclude the home stand.