The San Antonio Spurs suffered another epic fourth-quarter collapse as they fell 125-117 to the Portland Trail Blazers (24-28) at the Moda Center on Thursday night.
The loss is the third straight for San Antonio, who played the third game of their eight-game Rodeo Road Trip. The team previously lost to both the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers in a back-to-back set.
“It was a good game until Damian broke it open with his basketball play,” Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich said. “I mean, you know, he got through the double teams and split pick and rolls and found his teammates and they knocked down shots.”
Portland was led by Damian Lillard’s 26 points and 10 rebounds. San Antonio struggled to contain Hassan Whiteside, who scored 17 points and pulled down 23 rebounds in the win. The Blazers outscored San Antonio 39-25 in the final quarter and led by as many as 11 points.
Three Standout Players
Trey Lyles
One of the more surprising moments of the night came from Trey Lyles, who was a massive spark for the Spurs early on and late in the game when the Blazers were making their run.
Lyles finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds on the night. He hit 4-of-6 three-pointers on the night and was aggressive with the ball. With Portland going on a run in the fourth quarter, he hit a big three to tilt the score back in San Antonio’s favor.
LaMarcus Aldridge
The Spurs big man had a solid night’s work against his former team and nearly guided the silver and black to a win.
Aldridge finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. He hit from the inside, the outside, and from his favorite mid-range spot. Unfortunately, Aldridge’s effort was not enough to stop the red-hot Blazers shooting from 3.
Patty Mills
The Aussie and the fan-favorite guard is still continuing to have his best season in a Spurs uniform. He continued that with a brilliant effort off the bench to lead the second unit.
Mills had 14 points off the bench as he and Derrick White combined for 29 points for the second unit and were the only two bench players in double figures for the Spurs.
UP NEXT:
The Spurs are now 22-29 on the season and will return to the court on Saturday night when they continue their Rodeo Road Trip in California against the Sacramento Kings (19-31) at 9 p.m. from the Golden 1 Center.
