Game Thread Playoffs Round 1, Game 2: Spurs vs Blazers (1-0) (Tue 04/21/2026) [7:00 CDT]

[Mugen]

Castle was horrible in the 4th tbh. I'm not sure how much of that we can put on Mitch. He was really, really bad and has been pretty subpar to start the series. Needs to turn it around.

 

[Kick-Stand]

Unfortunately that looks very bad.

He would miss 2 games for sure.

Just have to wait on pins and needles for two days blech, ugh playoffs are never easy

 

[LeBowen]

Also, it's really fucking concerning that we started the season like 12-0 or something in clutch time only for it to become irrelevant when it matters.

 

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

You know @scott brought up a great point about balling when they got up by six. I’ve noticed more and more times this year they don’t roll with him until the defense figures him out. And then he loses his mojo or is subbed out. Now he definitely played poorly down the stretch, but it has been the MO for the season.

Same with Vassell when he got cooking. The coaches shut off the spigot.

It's like they are managing minutes off a spreadsheet with no feel for the game.

 

[SpurPadre]

For me the issue is that this wasn't some random chokejob where the other team gets hot or whatever, it was a systematic failure on many levels.
We scored 10 points in the final 8 minutes. And it's not like we missed any wide open looks.
Wasted so much time on every half court possession.

I mean, they did miss some wide open looks, airballing them even. But it was Castle’s beyond reckless play that were some of the real backbreakers.

 

[onechance87]

The Spurs are still by far the better team even without Victor.

Scoot by himself looks better then everybody on our roster.

 

[O_V]

Right. But the game plan was clearly to go at Deni and it didnt work. He didnt foul out. He didnt get beat. We took tough contested shots over him trying to go 1 on 1.

It completely broke our offensive flow

Yeah, I think they were just playing really shitty until they were cold and by then nobody wanted to take shots. They started trying to run the clock out instead of just playing defense and trading baskets for the last 10 minutes. And then once it got in their heads, they were done.

 

[Mugen]

Also, it's really fucking concerning that we started the season like 12-0 or something in clutch time only for it to become irrelevant when it matters.

I mean, it's the playoffs. That's been the knock on them all year. Just gotta play through it and gain some experience.

 

[LeBowen]

Castle was horrible in the 4th tbh. I'm not sure how much of that we can put on Mitch. He was really, really bad and has been pretty subpar to start the series. Needs to turn it around.

There were a handful of possessions where Fox or Harper were in identical situation as Castle, but then just decided to pass the ball to him and have him run the set.
And it's not like it was a mismatch or something, just by design. It evened out late on, but we can't have playoff game halves with Castle taking double the shots of anyone else.
That's exactly what the Blazers want, they're giving him the Westbrook treatment.

I mean, it's the playoffs. That's been the knock on them all year. Just gotta play through it and gain some experience.

It's the playoffs against a team that has one player with playoff experience and has a coach that's even less experienced than Mitch.

 

[timtonymanu]

All the relevant teams in a 1-1 split while OKC is probably just cruising healthily to the conference finals. Why do the basketball gods support a methhead fanbase, tbh?

 

[Wemby_Island]

I follow NFL a-lot and see concussions every game.

The way Wemby was not able to get back up says its a direct impact concussion. Its 7-14 days for that usually.

 

[O_V]

Scoot by himself looks better then everybody on our roster.

For one game, yes. For literally any other sample size, no, LOL.

 

[Kick-Stand]

All the relevant teams in a 1-1 split while OKC is probably just cruising healthily to the conference finals. Why do the basketball gods support a methhead fanbase, tbh?

You earn that shit when you get the #1 seed.

 

[z0sa]

I love how the League's answer to Wemby currently is, throw a much smaller player on him and try to basically trip him. Worked like a charm tonight, and hopefully he doesn't have literal brain damage because of it. Hopefully the League does something about this strategy; the refs are currently acting like he's not the biggest draw in the NBA for the next decade+ now that LeBron is done. It's not like they're even trying to protect him currently. They call all kinds of dumb bullshit on him too (throughout the season) when he DOES try to get low and be under control, because his arms/swing through is at these tiny fucks' heads and shoulders. Just ridiculous, really.

 

[Mugen]

I follow NFL a-lot and see concussions every game.

The way Wemby was not able to get back up says its a direct impact concussion. Its 7-14 days for that usually.

I'd be surprised if he missed both POR games tbh. But just gotta wait and see.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

The Spurs are still by far the better team even without Victor.

If our guards actually show up, yes, we are.

 

[LeBowen]

I'd be surprised if he missed both POR games tbh. But just gotta wait and see.

G4 is on Sunday, I honestly doubt he makes it. Maybe if we lose G3, no way if we're up 2-1.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

I follow NFL a-lot and see concussions every game.

The way Wemby was not able to get back up says its a direct impact concussion. Its 7-14 days for that usually.

He did get up and he ran to the locker room. Nobody helped him to locker room.

 

[Wemby_Island]

The Spurs are still by far the better team even without Victor.

Yes if we move the ball and play for each other.

There is tremendous amount of talent in this team.

 

[onechance87]

I'm surprised Mitch didn't immediately sub Kornet out after that reverse dunk considering his substitution patterns tbh.

Yea media needs to grill him for this.If the guys on the floor are playing well or somebody is shooting lights out.Why fck that up
with substitutions or time outs.

 

[z0sa]

As for concussion protocol, I'd be surprised if we hear anything for at least 24 hours, likely longer. You don't rush with neuro on your abuela, much less a global superstar.

 

[LeBowen]

He did get up and he ran to the locker room. Nobody helped him to locker room.

Adrenaline is hell of a drug.
It was actually quite a poor reaction from the medical staff, he lost balance the first time he tried to get up and it could've ended badly.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

I love how the League's answer to Wemby currently is, throw a much smaller player on him and try to basically trip him. Worked like a charm tonight, and hopefully he doesn't have literal brain damage because of it. Hopefully the League does something about this strategy; the refs are currently acting like he's not the biggest draw in the NBA for the next decade+ now that LeBron is done. It's not like they're even trying to protect him currently. They call all kinds of dumb bullshit on him too (throughout the season) when he DOES try to get low and be under control, because his arms/swing through is at these tiny fucks' heads and shoulders. Just ridiculous, really.

He has to change the way he plays in that regard with smaller defenders. He needs to be more of a catch and shoot guy coming off screens. You can’t be catching the ball at the three-point line when somebody’s 6-2 is guarding you. Shit makes no sense.

 

[Wemby_Island]

He did get up and he ran to the locker room. Nobody helped him to locker room.

I have seen that clip as well.

He looked dizzy when heading to locker room.

But TBH, initial 10-20 secs will be telling.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Adrenaline is hell of a drug.
It was actually quite a poor reaction from the medical staff, he lost balance the first time he tried to get up and it could've ended badly.

We are all playing doctor at this point. Let’s hope for the best.