Victor Wembanyama made two crucial free throws with just 2.4 seconds left to help the San Antonio Spurs overcome a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter, securing a 118-116 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Wembanyama finished the game with 28 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, making all 10 of his free throws. Devin Vassell added 23 points off the bench, Julian Champagnie scored 19, and Jeremy Sochan chipped in 15 for the Spurs. San Antonio made a strong comeback with a 24-4 run in the final quarter.
Jerami Grant tied his career high with eight 3-pointers and scored 32 points, but Portland lost its fifth straight game. Anfernee Simons contributed 30 points and seven assists, and Deni Avdija had 19 points off the bench.
With 12.2 seconds left, Vassell put the Spurs ahead by two points with a mid-range jumper. Grant then made a drive to the basket and tied the game at 116 with 6.4 seconds remaining. Wembanyama was fouled while attempting the final shot and made both free throws to give the Spurs the win. Avdija’s half-court shot missed as time ran out.
San Antonio’s Chris Paul was ejected after being called for two technical fouls 11 seconds apart late in the first quarter.
Harrison Barnes scored 10 points for the Spurs, who shot 51.8% from the field and 14 of 30 (46.7%) from beyond the arc.
Shaedon Sharpe scored 11 points for Portland, which shot 51.2% from the field and made 16 of 41 (39%) from 3-point range.
The Spurs, down by 17 points, went on an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to 105-99 after a putback by Charles Bassey with 5:27 left. San Antonio kept pushing, with Champagnie hitting a key 3-pointer to give the Spurs a 113-112 lead with 2:08 remaining.
Grant responded with his eighth 3-pointer to tie the game at 112 with 1:07 left.
Portland had a strong third quarter, with Grant scoring 22 points and the Blazers outscoring the Spurs 46-28 to take an 88-80 lead. In the fourth, Simons hit a 3-pointer and Avdija scored four points as Portland led 100-86 with 9:28 to play.
The Blazers’ lead reached 105-88 on a runner by Jabari Walker, but San Antonio mounted a remarkable comeback to secure the win.
