San Antonio Spurs punched its inheritor ticket to the second spherical of the NBA playoffs on Tuesday, main wire to wire in a 114-95 victory over the Portland Path Blazers.
Victor Wembanyama scored 17 factors, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked six photographs to assist the Spurs wrap up a 4-1 win of their best-of-seven Western Convention first-round sequence.
Within the East, Philadelphia star Joel Embiid scored 33 factors and handed out eight assists because the 76ers fended off elimination with a 113-97 victory over the Boston Celtics.
The Spurs, who clawed again from a 19-point deficit to win recreation 4, burst out of the blocks and pushed their result in as many as 28 earlier than taking a 65-45 lead into half-time.
Portland unleashed an 11-0 run that reduce a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to 9, however the Spurs responded.
De’Aaron Fox scored 13 of his 21 factors within the last interval and Wembanyama — taking part in his second recreation after lacking one with a concussion — delivered two large blocks as San Antonio gained a playoff sequence for the primary time since 2017.
“It did really feel like we let our foot off the fuel,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson mentioned. “NBA video games are lengthy, it’s not an excuse. Which means we’ve obtained to be higher, however zero lead adjustments is zero lead adjustments.
“We’ve got loads of issues we might be higher at,” Johnson added of his younger workforce, who had six gamers rating in double figures. “However we’re able to step as much as the plate and swing.”
Seeded second within the West, the Spurs are chasing a sixth NBA title and their first since 2014. They may face both the Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves within the Western Convention semifinals.
The Timberwolves lead the Nuggets 3-2 of their sequence.
Embiid in rhythm
In Philadelphia, a dominant second half by Cameroon-born huge man Embiid — taking part in simply his second recreation since an April 9 emergency appendectomy — enabled the 76ers to chop the sequence deficit in opposition to Boston to 3-2.
“It’s form of laborious. I solely had one likelihood to go up and again (on the courtroom) earlier than I got here again,” Embiid mentioned. “Utilizing this recreation and final recreation to form of get again into it.
“I discovered my rhythm within the second half. We adjusted some stuff at half-time. I really feel OK. I really feel good. We obtained a win. That’s all that issues.”
The sequence shifts again to Philadelphia for recreation six on Thursday with a seventh recreation, if wanted, in Boston on Saturday.
“We did our job,” Embiid mentioned. “We’re going to wish all people to return again to Boston.”
Tyrese Maxey added 25 factors and 10 rebounds for the 76ers, who additionally had 16 factors and 9 rebounds from Paul George.
Jayson Tatum had 24 factors and 16 rebounds for the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown added 22 factors. The facet was outscored 11-28 within the fourth quarter, producing its fewest factors in any quarter this season with the sequence clincher up for grabs.
The Celtics, who’ve missed the playoffs solely as soon as since 2007, are attempting to achieve the second spherical for the fifth 12 months in a row.
The Sixers haven’t gained a playoff sequence since sweeping Brooklyn within the first spherical in 2023.
The Celtics, chasing a second NBA title in three seasons, or 76ers will face both the New York Knicks or Atlanta Hawks within the second spherical.
The Knicks seized a 3-2 lead of their sequence with a 126-97 dwelling victory over the Hawks.
Jalen Brunson scored 17 of his 39 factors within the fourth quarter and added eight assists whereas Karl-Anthony Cities had 16 factors and 14 rebounds for the hosts.
Atlanta should win at dwelling in recreation six on Thursday to drive a winner-take-all recreation seven in New York on Saturday.
Revealed on Apr 29, 2026