The Portland Trail Blazers started a lineup Thursday night against San Antonio that, save for a couple of players, could very well make up the team’s 2023 summer league roster.
Expectedly, this crew went out and lost to the Spurs in Austin, Texas.
Unexpectedly, the Blazers made a game of it as they continue to play hard regardless of the lineup.
The Spurs pulled out a 129-127 victory after trailing 119-110 thanks to closing out the game with a 19-8 spurt.
The Spurs, owners of the third-worst record in the NBA, aren’t exactly good. But the Blazers added Shaedon Sharpe to their injury list, leaving Trendon Watford and Drew Eubanks as the only active players who actually figured into the team’s rotation when the season still mattered.
Yet the available players, despite their lack of familiarity, put together 34 assists while shooting 53.1% from the field, which impressed Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.
“I just tell them to play fast,” Billups told reporters at the AT&T Center. “Play tough on D, get the rebound, just play fast, space the floor.”
While the team did all of the above, they also committed 16 turnovers (11 in the first half) leading to 29 points for the Spurs while producing just 15 points off 15 San Antonio turnovers.
Eubanks, playing against his former team, went 9 of 13 from the field and hit 3 of 4 three-pointers to finish with 23 points and nine rebounds.
“I knew he was going to be on for a good night,” Billups said. “It was kind of like a home game for him.”
Eubanks, who spent four years with the Spurs, went head-to-head with former Blazers center Zach Collins, who scored 21 points with 10 rebounds.
“He and Zach Collins had a heck of a battle tonight,” Billups said. “It was fun to watch.”
Watford had 16 points and six rebounds. Kevin Knox II had his most productive game as a Blazer while coming off the bench for 24 points.
“He’s done a really good job of taking advantage of his opportunities and his minutes late in the season,” Billups said.
Point guard Skylar Mays, signed out of the G League to a 10-day contract, had 11 points with seven assists. Jeenathan Williams, signed last week to a two-year contract, started and had 16 points, four assists and for rebounds.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (34) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Dominick Barlow (26) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Austin, Texas, Thursday, April 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) APAP
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (33-47) are just two losses away from finishing with the fifth-worst record in the NBA. The Spurs (21-59) have the third-worst record in the NBA, just ahead of Houston (20-59). The Orlando Magic (34-46) lost 118-94 to Cleveland (51-30) to move into a three-way tie with Indiana (34-46) and Washington (34-46) for the sixth-worst record, one game ahead of the Blazers.
NEXT UP
The Blazers play their final two games this weekend, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday at the LA Clippers (42-38) and concluding at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at home against the Golden State Warriors (42-38).
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts