Spurs rally from the brink to top Trail Blazers 105-103

On a cold Friday the 13th night in Portland, the San Antonio Spurs showcased their grit, teamwork, and resilience in an incredible comeback win. Missing four key rotation players - along with Chris Paul, who was ejected in the first quarter, and key contributors Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins, Trey Jones, and Stephon Castle out due to injuries - the Spurs overcame a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to claim a dramatic 105-103 victory over the Trail Blazers.

“It’s always been next man up this year,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell explained after the game. “It’s a testament to how deep we are as a team. Everybody had to step up today, and it was huge.” The Spurs embodied that mantra as they leaned on a collective effort to overcome a hot shooting Blazer squad.

The game began with flashes of promise for San Antonio, as they executed well on defense in the first half. Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson praised the team’s early energy. “In the first half, we did a really good job defensively. It gave us a chance to settle ourselves, play out off our defense, and get some good shots in transition,” Johnson said. However, the third quarter proved disastrous. Portland’s Jerami Grant torched San Antonio’s Jeremy Sochan for 19 points making a career-high five three pointers in the third quarter alone.

“Pretty disappointing,” Johnson admitted. “But the way they finished does a lot for our confidence moving forward. It shows we have the capability to pull ourselves out of rough patches.”

The Spurs needed to dig deep when Chris Paul was ejected, leaving the team with only Blake Wesley as a true point guard. Julian Champagnie reflected on the challenge: “We were just trying to adjust, honestly. The pressure was pretty good today—shoutout to Portland for that. But guys like Blake [Wesley], Malaki [Branham], and even Jeremy [Sochan] stepped up. We all just said, ‘Let’s get it done.’”

Devin Vassell shined as the engine of the Spurs’ offense throughout the night. Julian Champagnie didn’t hold back in praising Vassell, calling him “stone cold.”

“Man, Devin’s a bona fide scorer,” Champagnie said. “He’s going to get buckets no matter what. He’s gritty, he’s grimy, and he gets it done. We wouldn’t have won this game without him today.”

Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ star rookie, also showcased why he’s regarded as a franchise cornerstone. His composure in crunch time really stood out, as he sank crucial free throws and provided poise under pressure. “Vic puts a lot of work in,” Champagnie said. “In these moments, it’s kind of no question—we give him the ball and he gets it done, countless times.”

Vassell added his thoughts on Wembanyama’s impact: “Whenever Vic turns it on and it clicks, we’re a totally different team. And he knows that.”

Facing a 17-point deficit early in the fourth quarter, the Spurs could have easily folded. Instead, they gathered themselves during a pivotal timeout. “We said, ‘We’re not going to lose like this,’” Champagnie recalled. “Whether it be a loss or a win, we weren’t going to go down by 20 and just give up.” That resolve fueled a defensive surge and an offensive explosion, with players up and down the limited roster contributing key plays.

Vassell summed it up best: “It wasn’t just one person. It was everybody. A great team win.”

The team returned to San Antonio with renewed belief in their abilities and a reminder that even when the odds seem overwhelming, they have the tools—and the heart—to prevail.

They will spend the weekend preparing for their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 6:00 PM CST, at the Frost Bank Center.

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