Victor Wembanyama could miss a while after a rib harm scare within the San Antonio Spurs 115-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Reports point out Wembanyama’s harm isn’t critical, and he’ll possible go well with up for the one required recreation he has to play to qualify for end-of-season awards. However, he’ll possible miss the Spurs’ ultimate matchup towards the Portland Trail Blazers this season, as he’s listed as uncertain. Stephon Castle joins him on the harm report with the identical designation.
This would be the rubber match between Portland and San Antonio, because the collection is tied 1-1. The Blazers defeated the Spurs of their final matchup, 115-110, a recreation through which Wembanyama additionally sat out, and Luke Kornet led the staff with 23 factors. Portland is preventing laborious for its playoff positioning, as they sit only a half-game again of the Los Angeles Clippers for eighth within the Western Conference. This recreation may affect who the Spurs play within the first spherical and might be a preview of a possible playoff collection.
April eighth, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT
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Spurs Injuries: Stephon Castle – Doubtful (knee), Victor Wembanyama – Doubtful (rib), Harrison Ingram – Questionable (G League), David Jones-Garcia – Out (ankle), Emanuel Miller – Questionable (G League)
Trail Blazers Injuries: Jerami Grant – Out (calf), Vit Krejci – Doubtful (calf), Damian Lillard – Out (achilles), Shaedon Sharpe – Doubtful (fibula)
Grabbing defensive rebounds
The Blazers are superior offensive rebounders. If Wembanyama is a Godzilla-type determine, then Donovan Clingan is his King Kong (or Cling Kong) counterpart. The Portland large man leads the league in offensive rebounds with 4.5 a recreation. Without Wembanyama, Kornet can be counted on to maintain Clingan off the glass. It’ll need to be a staff effort on the boards, although. The Blazers are 2nd within the NBA with 14.1 offensive rebounds per recreation. Allowing second-chance factors will crush the Spurs’ possibilities of profitable.
The Spurs usually go to a small-ball second unit when Wembanyama sits. Carter Bryant has surprisingly been the staff’s finest third middle on the roster this 12 months. Against greater groups, that lack of measurement can generally come again to chew San Antonio. Against Portland, nevertheless, it may work to their benefit. Robert Williams III is a stout, athletic defender, however not a lot of an offensive risk. Bryant ought to be capable to deal with him on the defensive finish. On offense, the Spurs could have extra ball-handlers and flooring spacers to benefit from a Portland protection that already permits 116.1 factors per recreation. This stands out as the one recreation the Spurs’ small-ball lineup may find yourself a net-positive.
With Castle doubtlessly resting this recreation, Harper ought to get a shot within the beginning unit. In his two video games as a starter, Harper averaged 17 factors, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He’s been taking part in some wonderful basketball currently, taking pictures the ball successfully, scoring across the rim, and taking part in powerful protection on the perimeter. He’ll have his work reduce out for him towards powerful perimeter defenders like Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday, however a giant recreation within the beginning 5 might be precisely what Harper must hit the bottom working into the playoffs.
