Spurs take 3-1 lead after Wembanyama return

Victor Wembanyama returned from a concussion Sunday and helped the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 for a 3-1 first-round lead. (nba.com) Wembanyama finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in 34 minutes after missing Game 3 while in the National Basketball Association concussion protocol. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) De'Aaron Fox scored 28 points, and Deni Avdija led Portland with 26 as San Antonio turned a 17-point halftime hole into a 21-point win. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) Portland led 58-41 at halftime, but San Antonio had tied the game by the end of the third quarter and then pushed ahead 90-77 on back-to-back 3-pointers from Fox and Keldon Johnson. (nba.com) The National Basketball Association said the Spurs became the first playoff team to trail by 15 or more at halftime and still win by 15 or more. (nba.com) Wembanyama's return changed the paint on both ends. Portland centers Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III had been productive with him sidelined, but Clingan shot 2-for-10 in Game 4 and Williams scored four points. (nba.com) The Spurs are now one victory from their first playoff series win since 2017, and Game 5 is set for Tuesday, April 28, in San Antonio at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) After the game, Wembanyama said the return-to-play process was "very disappointing" but said the Spurs' medical staff treated him well and declined to elaborate. (nba.com) Portland still gets another chance, but the series has shifted back to San Antonio with the Spurs holding three wins in four games and Wembanyama back in the lineup. (nba.com)