Spurs-Trail Blazers Game 4 takeaways: Victor Wembanyama stars in return; Scoot Henderson disappears
Three takeaways from Game 4 between the Spurs and Trail Blazers, with San Antonio taking a 3-1 series lead.
The Portland Trail Blazers went into halftime with a 17-point lead over the San Antonio Spurs, then completely collapsed in the second half. They simply couldn't figure out a solution to the constant shot-making of De'Aaron Fox (28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists), and the stardom of Victor Wembanyama (27 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 4 steals, 3 assists). The Spurs, who are now up 3-1 in the series, won 114-93 as they simply demolished the Blazers in the second half, outscoring them by 38 points.
San Antonio is now one win away from moving on to the second round, and will look to close out the series on Tuesday back in Texas. This is the best first-round challenge for Victor Wembanyama Concussion protocol and missed games aside, this is just the perfect test for Wembanyama. The Blazers have nimble guards, big combo forwards, and a 7-foot-2, beefy center in Donovan Clingan — and they’re throwing everything and everyone at Wembanyama.
The 7-5 Defensive Player of the Year has been guarded by everyone from Clingan to Jrue Holiday, as the Blazers keep switching up their coverage, forcing him to adjust and get used to a physical presence, regardless of who is tasked with guarding him. It's a smart strategy, as it forces the Spurs superstar to constantly make decisions, with his defender in mind. The potential downside for Portland?
That Wembanyama solves it and takes away the advantage. The enigma of Scoot Henderson Coming into Game 4, Henderson was averaging 23. 3 points per game in the series.