For a split second, perhaps Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward Deni Avdija thought he finally was through the maze that is the San Antonio Spurs’ paint defense — and the alien that anchors it.
With his team down 15 with a little more than three minutes left, Avdija spun into the lane and fired up a floater. When he let the shot go, Victor Wembanyama was just to the left of the paint, facing the rim as the ball seemingly passed him. Perhaps Avdija and the Trail Blazers had one last gasp to save their season.
Then the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year shut the door emphatically, blocking Avdija’s attempt over the top of the backboard, 13 feet off the ground. Not to the side or off the glass back into play. Clear over the backboard, with the ball clipping the top as Wembanyama launched it into the stands.
In one fell swoop, Wembanyama sent the shot, and the last remnants of the Trail Blazers’ season, into the ether.
“SPIKED!” ESPN announcer Dave Pasch exclaimed. “Into the 15th row.”
Wembanyama finished the Spurs’ 114-95 win with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks. On one of his previous baskets, the broadcast cut to his father, Félix Wembanyama, whose face was blank despite the impressive feats of his MVP-candidate son to that point.
But after Wembanyama’s block over the backboard, his father couldn’t suppress the look of approval on his face.
“Even his dad says ‘Wow,’” Pasch noted.
“He might be the all-time tough grader if this doesn’t get a reaction, ESPN analyst Doris Burke remarked.
Wembanyama allowed himself a brief smile and a small flex as the crowd celebrated his denial. As hard as Portland tried in this series, even stealing a game in San Antonio in Game 2, the Spurs prevailed in five games with ease.
Wembanyama finished his first career playoff series playing in four of the five games, missing much of Game 2 and all of Game 3 with a concussion. He averaged 21 points, 8.8 rebounds and four blocks per game. He rejected 13 shots in the final two games combined.
Wembanyama and the Spurs now turn their attention to the series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota leads 3-2 but is without star Anthony Edwards, while the Nuggets will lean on MVP candidate Nikola Jokić.
The winner faces the Spurs in the next round — and will have to find an answer for Wembanyama’s paint dominion.
