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The Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs after a 114-95 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 on Tuesday at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs controlled the game from start to finish and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.
Deni Avdija finished with 22 points in the loss, but Portland never found consistent rhythm against San Antonio’s early surge and defensive pressure.
Avdija pointed directly to the Spurs’ fast start and shot-making as a key swing factor in the game. “I think they were hitting shots really early in the game. They went on a run,” he said. He added that San Antonio “sustained the lead until we got a little bit back in the game.”
He also acknowledged Portland’s offensive struggles against a disciplined defensive team. “They played good today and we didn’t make shots too,” Avdija said. “It’s hard to win with 35% from the field and 23 from three.”
San Antonio’s defensive structure, led by Victor Wembanyama’s rim protection and overall spacing control, limited Portland’s efficiency throughout the night. The Trail Blazers shot just 35% overall and 23% from three-point range in the elimination game.
Despite the result, Avdija emphasized the value of the playoff experience for both himself and the group. “I don’t know if a lesson, but more an experience,” he said. “I feel like that experience was needed for me and for the team as a group to fight together, to see how it is with playoff physicality, playoff atmospheres.”
He also stressed effort and collective responsibility in the series. “I had a lot of fun. We left it all on the court. I left it all on the court,” Avdija said. “You got to stay resilient. You got to stay together and you got to do it together.”
Looking ahead, Avdija framed the series as a developmental step for the roster. “I think just the experience of everybody in this series, from the young guys to the vets,” he said. “It was a good run for us to understand what we are missing and what we need to do to get better and go even further.”
Portland’s season ends after a physical five-game series, while San Antonio advances behind a balanced attack and strong defensive identity. For Avdija and the Trail Blazers, the focus now shifts toward using this postseason exposure as a foundation for future growth.
