Deni Avdija delivered a direct postgame assessment after the Portland Trail Blazers’ 114-93 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of their first-round series at Moda Center on Sunday, April 27.
“We just didn’t make shots and they did,” Avdija said, pointing to the third-quarter swing that shifted momentum after Portland’s strong first-half control. “Defensively, we weren’t they bumped up their physicality and it was tough for us to handle that. We weren’t ready for that.”
Portland built a 17-point halftime lead but allowed San Antonio to erase it quickly after the break. The Spurs’ defensive pressure and transition scoring flipped the game before the fourth quarter separation.
Avdija rejected the idea that fatigue or inexperience alone explained the collapse. “I don’t think it’s because we’re young,” he said. “I think we’ve been in those situations before. It happened to us in the series, but yeah, we got to learn from it.”
The Blazers forward emphasized execution over structural changes heading into Game 5. “I don’t think we need to change so much,” Avdija said. “We just got to be better in sustaining it and we can’t let them have those runs.”
San Antonio’s defensive interior presence, anchored by Victor Wembanyama’s rim protection, was a key factor in limiting Portland’s efficiency around the basket. Avdija acknowledged the challenge created by the Spurs’ rotation defense.
“It’s hard to face him when he rolls to the basket,” Avdija said, referencing Portland center Robert Williams III. “He makes the right play. He’s so athletic and his defensive presence is very good.”
The game also featured a late physical confrontation between Avdija and Spurs guard Stephon Castle, resulting in offsetting technical fouls. Avdija described the moment as a response to repeated contact during the game.
“I think he’s a good player. I have a lot of respect for him,” Avdija said. “But the thing at the end, all the shoving the ball into my chest is unnecessary. I don’t play those games. It’s not who I am.”
He added that competitive edge has limits within playoff intensity. “You can be tough, you can be physical, but there’s a level of disrespect that I’m not going to accept,” Avdija said.
Portland had multiple scoring droughts during San Antonio’s second-half surge, a stretch Avdija tied directly to shot-making issues and turnovers. The Spurs capitalized in transition and controlled tempo late.
Looking ahead, Avdija said the focus remains on composure and closing stretches rather than tactical overhauls. “We got to learn from it,” he said. “We got to be ready for that.”
With the series shifting back to San Antonio for Game 5, the Trail Blazers face elimination pressure after surrendering home momentum in consecutive games.
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