Victor Wembanyama leads San Antonio Spurs to series win over Portland
Victor Wembanyama claimed a dominant double-double to help the San Antonio Spurs secure a 4-1 series victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, marking their first NBA play-off series win in nine years.
Spurs dominate to advance in the West
The Western Conference second seeds cruised to a 114-95 victory in Texas to finally eliminate Portland.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 21 points as six home players reached double figures in a balanced offensive display.
However, it was the newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year who anchored the performance with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks.
“It was as sharp as we’ve been,” said San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson.
Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter praised the generational talent of the French centre following the heavy defeat.
“They have a superstar that changed the game and they deserve it,” Splitter conceded.
The Texas franchise will now face either the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference semi-finals.
Embiid keeps Sixers alive in the East
Over in the Eastern Conference, Joel Embiid delivered a 33-point masterclass to help the Philadelphia 76ers secure a 113-97 road victory against the Boston Celtics.
The star centre was playing only his second game since undergoing an emergency appendectomy earlier in April.
Philadelphia’s crucial win cuts their series deficit to 3-2 and forces a game six on home court this Thursday.
“I found my rhythm in the second half, we adjusted some stuff at half-time and got a win,” Embiid explained.
If the Sixers manage to defend their home floor, the series will return to Massachusetts for a deciding game seven on Saturday.
Knicks push Atlanta to the brink
The winner of the Boston and Philadelphia matchup will advance to face either the New York Knicks or the Atlanta Hawks.
New York currently hold a 3-2 series lead following a comprehensive 126-97 victory at Madison Square Garden.
All-Star guard Jalen Brunson exploded for 17 of his 39 total points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
London-born forward OG Anunoby provided vital support for the third seeds by claiming 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Atlanta must now win on their home court on Thursday to force a decisive seventh game back in New York.