Coming off a troublesome loss to the Phoenix Suns, the San Antonio Spurs enter two of their most necessary video games of the season (relying on how a lot you care in regards to the NBA Cup). The Silver and Black will tackle the Portland Path Blazers within the first of two straight Cup video games, ending up Group Play. Two wins would possible put San Antonio excessive and transfer them onto the knockout rounds. I’m getting forward of myself, although. They should win the primary one in opposition to Portland earlier than specializing in Friday’s matchup in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
The Spurs may get some reinforcements of their NBA Cup push. Rookie guard Dylan Harper is listed as questionable for the primary time since struggling a calf pressure in opposition to Phoenix earlier this season. Harper was thriving as a ball-handler off the bench, and would give the Spurs a much-needed benefit creator in opposition to a troublesome Path Blazers squad.
The Blazers are fighting accidents, very similar to the Spurs. They are going to be with out their key ball-handlers in Jrue Vacation and Scoot Henderson. Shaedon Sharpe can be listed as questionable with a calf difficulty. Portland can rating with the perfect of them. They’re tenth within the NBA in factors per sport. They’re led by a stellar wing room that features Sharpe and Deni Avdija who has became a star in Portland.
The Blazers thrive at enjoying an up-tempo model that focuses on turning over their opponents. San Antonio might want to handle the basketball and shield the paint in the event that they wish to beat Portland, and improve their possibilities of the franchise’s first look within the NBA Cup’s knockout rounds.
November twenty sixth, 2025 | 9 PM CT
Watch: FanDuel SW | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Dylan Harper – Questionable(calf), Stephon Fort – Out (hip), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Jordan McLaughlin – Out (hamstring), Victor Wembanyama – Out (calf)
Path Blazers Accidents: Scoot Henderson – Out (hamstring), Jrue Vacation – Out (calf), Damian Lillard – Out (achilles), Shaedon Sharpe – Questionable (calf), Matisse Thybulle – Out (thumb), Blake Wesley – Out (foot)
The Spurs struggled to get beauty inside in opposition to the Suns of their final loss. De’Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson had been the one two gamers who may get to the rim and create benefits for the group. Fox has stepped up his sport in Victor Wembanyama’s absence, however he may use some assist shouldering the offensive load. Getting Harper again can be large for this, as he’s mainly been a strolling paint contact when wholesome. The Blazers are a comparatively weak defensive group, regardless of some sturdy defenders on the roster like Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan. San Antonio ought to have room to assault the paint and proper their errors from the earlier loss.
The Blazers thrive on second-chance factors. They’re 2nd within the NBA in offensive rebounds. Clingan and Camara are robust on the glass. Clingan grabs 4.7 offensive boards an evening, whereas Camara averages 2.2. It’s going to must be a group effort to maintain Portland from grabbing second-chance alternatives. Luke Kornet ought to have his fingers full with Clingan, who’s beginning to come into his personal in his second NBA season. The battle on the glass may finally determine the sport’s consequence.
Mr. 100%’s offensive involvement
Harrison Barnes has been essential for the Spurs in Wembanyama, Harper, and Stephon Fort’s absence. He’s averaging 12.9 factors with 53/45/90 capturing splits. He’s primarily been San Antonio’s second possibility behind Fox. He’s not a participant the Spurs run a whole lot of offensive actions for, however he at all times appears to seek out a possibility to seek out the tender spot within the protection to get a bucket. With so many gamers lacking, Barnes is a participant to observe. They could want a giant sport from him to safe a victory in Portland.
