Spurs Top Blazers 120-108, Lead Series 2-1 Sans Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 on Friday night at the Moda Center, taking a 2-1 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series despite the absence of star center Victor Wembanyama. Young guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper combined for 60 points in the victory, powering a comeback from a 15-point third-quarter deficit.

Wembanyama, the league's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award, sat out the game as he continues to recover from a concussion sustained in the second quarter of San Antonio's 106-103 loss in Game 2 on Tuesday. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson confirmed before tip-off that the 7-foot-4 French phenom would not play, though he provided no further details on his condition. Wembanyama, who averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game during the regular season, watched from the bench as reserve Luke Kornet started in his place and recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Castle led the Spurs with 33 points and five assists, shooting 10-of-18 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Harper, a 20-year-old rookie coming off the bench, added...