The Portland Trail Blazers (22-57) defeated the San Antonio Spurs (19-60) 120-109 on Sunday, April 6, led by a strong performance from rookie Toumani Camara.
Camara posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Kris Murray chipped in a season-high 18 points off the bench, helping Portland stave off a late Spurs rally.
Despite the win, both teams were officially eliminated from play-in contention following the Sacramento Kings’ 120-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in the evening.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 22 points, while veteran Chris Paul added a crucial three-point play in the fourth quarter that brought San Antonio within six points. But Camara answered with a momentum-shifting three to put the game out of reach.
The Blazers played shorthanded, missing Scoot Henderson (concussion), Deni Avdija (thumb), Duop Reath (knee), and Anfernee Simons (forearm), but still managed to have five players score in double figures.
Chris Murray’s timely dime to Camara in the fourth helped rebuild a double-digit lead, and Portland held firm the rest of the way.
San Antonio struggled in the absence of rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama, who was ruled out for the season in late February due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.
The Spurs had won the first three meetings against Portland this season, but couldn’t complete the sweep.
The Trail Blazers will travel to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 9, while the Spurs continue their road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, April 8.
