The Portland Trail Blazers have been an impressive bunch, earning their first playoff berth since 2021. While the Blazers’ chances of going beyond the first round are bleak, Deni Avdija‘s star power could propel them in the postseason.
Gauging The Trail Blazers’ Chances To Defeat The Mighty Spurs
The Portland Trail Blazers were in limbo for a long time. Despite Damian Lillard‘s excellence, they did not make the playoffs in 2022 or 2023. After trading Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland rebuilt the team based on smart deals.
Players like Avdija and Toumani Camara quickly became cornerstones. The Blazers also did well in the NBA Draft by choosing Donovan Clingan to be their franchise center. Last summer, they acquired Jrue Holiday and reunited with Lillard. Now, they are reaping the benefits with a return to the playoffs.
Avdija’s Star Power Is Significant For Portland
Before the season started, some people thought the Blazers would stay competitive amid a transition period. They did much more than that by ending their five-year postseason drought.
Lillard’s presence likely played a role, but he would be the first person to credit his teammates. Avdija, in particular, is the standout player for Portland. From being a rotational wing for the Washington Wizards, Avdija’s star power rose for the Blazers as he became an offensive powerhouse.
DENI DELIVERED. https://t.co/B4pNyTF9bS pic.twitter.com/CK7HmTTFz3
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2026
This season, he became a first-time All-Star by averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. His willingness to play a bigger role was key towards Portland’s postseason hopes. That was apparent in the Play-In Tournament, when he scored 41 points and dished out 12 assists on Tuesday against the Suns.
Now, the Blazers will face the Spurs in the first round, and they’re considered heavy underdogs against a 62-win team.
Being The Underdog Boosts The Blazers’ Chances
Many expect the Spurs to dominate the Blazers — a valid conclusion because Victor Wembanyama and his supporting cast are phenomenal. Plus, the Spurs are a tough matchup to begin with.
Tiago Splitter’s coaching will be under a microscope because his team struggles against a good defense. The Blazers’ offensive issues have been well documented, but they’ve also been solid as of late. With a starting core of Avdija, Holiday, and Scoot Henderson, Portland has a group that can manipulate opponents.
Scoot Henderson must be soaking in whatever defensive knowledge he can get from Jrue because he’s turning into a legitimate menace as an on-ball defender pic.twitter.com/TeDWwaloKR
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) April 13, 2026
Off the bench, Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe are phenomenal scorers who can take over the game. This is the healthiest the Blazers have been this season. Sharpe, in particular, could be a game-changer with his ability to average 20.8 points a night.
Apart from the starters and the two super subs, the Blazers still have names like Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle. They have an underrated roster that could pull off upsets on good days.
Splitter’s Schemes Are Key
The squad has multiple X-factors, but Splitter is a bit of a mystery. He coached 81 regular season games and a play-in contest. Now, he’s facing the same franchise he won a championship with in 2014.
The Brazilian coach stepped up after Chuancey Billups was arrested. He was terrific for the most part, strengthening the Blazers’ defense. Although the offense could still use some work, the potential for improvement is there.
Splitter has deployed a zone defense several times this season. Considering it’s a point of weakness for San Antonio, expect that to be a big part of Splitter’s scheme. Stretching Wembanyama away from the paint will also be crucial, as the Blazers’ primary point of attack is driving.
It is an interesting dynamic between Portland and San Antonio. The Spurs are the favorites, but don’t be shocked when the Blazers steal a game or two. This is just the beginning of their bright future.
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