Spurs Just Ended a 9-Year Drought and Nobody in the West Is Ready

San Antonio's back. After nine years stuck in the wilderness, the Spurs punched their ticket to the semifinals with a Game 5 victory over Portland, and they did it by showing off everything their offense can do. This is the Spurs' first playoff series win since 2017, and it matters because it signals that this franchise is done waiting around.

Wemby and Fox Close the Door on Portland

The Spurs leaned on their star power when it counted most. Wembanyana and Fox combined to shut down the Blazers when it mattered, turning Game 5 into a statement. San Antonio put 114 points on the board while holding Portland to just 95, and that's the kind of margin that doesn't lie. After nine years without a series win, the Spurs showed they've got the pieces to compete.

The West Is Wide Open Now

The Spurs aren't the only team making noise. The top-seeded Thunder rolled through Phoenix in a sweep, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropping 31 points to guide Oklahoma City straight to the semifinals. Meanwhile, out East, the Knicks grabbed a 3-2 series lead with the most dominant performance of their first-round matchup, a 126-97 demolition of Atlanta behind Jalen Brunson's efficient 39 points on 15-23 shooting. The Sixers forced a Game 6 by leaning on Joel Embiid's 33 points and a 12-0 fourth quarter run to stay alive against Boston.

In the Western Conference, the Spurs' emergence into the semifinals after nine years away changes the conversation. They proved their offensive versatility in Game 5, and that's the kind of blueprint that wins in the postseason. San Antonio is back, and the West has to adjust accordingly.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.