Wembanyama absent, Fox explose avec 37 pts contre Portland

Without Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs proved they could still get the job done on the road, dismantling the Portland Trail Blazers 115–102 at the Moda Center on November 26, 2025, in a regular season contest that showcased the team’s surprising depth and De’Aaron Fox’s takeover potential.

Fox Drops 37: How San Antonio Dominated Portland Wire-to-Wire

The Spurs came out with purpose from the opening tip, establishing control early as De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell combined to stretch Portland’s defense thin. Fox was relentless in the first half, attacking the basket at will and drawing fouls with regularity. Vassell, operating off the ball, repeatedly found open looks from the perimeter and made Portland’s help defense pay. The Trail Blazers struggled to contain two perimeter threats simultaneously, allowing San Antonio to build a comfortable cushion heading into halftime.

Portland tried to regroup in the third quarter, leaning heavily on Deni Avdija, who was exceptional throughout the night. The Israeli forward gave the home crowd reason for optimism, orchestrating possessions and hitting timely threes, but the Spurs’ collective effort neutralized every Trail Blazers run before it could gain real traction. Harrison Barnes chipped in on both ends, while Julian Champagnie provided energy off the bench with a double-double that kept the second unit competitive.

By the fourth quarter, the outcome was no longer in doubt. Fox polished off a masterful performance, finishing with 37 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals, shooting a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line and ending with a plus-minus of +21. San Antonio closed the game efficiently, managing the clock and converting enough possessions to seal the 115–102 final.

Avdija’s 37-Point Effort Not Enough in Portland’s Moda Center Loss

The defining individual sequence of the night may have belonged to the losing side. Deni Avdija turned in one of the most complete performances of his young career — 37 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds on 12-of-19 shooting and 5-of-8 from three — yet it was not nearly enough to offset Portland’s overall inefficiency. Jerami Grant shot a dismal 5-of-17 from the field, and Shaedon Sharpe, limited to just 22 minutes, finished at -13. When your best player matches the opponent’s star point guard stat-for-stat but your supporting cast struggles, victories become elusive.

What We Learned: Three Takeaways From San Antonio’s Road Win

Spurs Win Without the Phénomène

The absence of the n°1 pick of the 2023 NBA Draft loomed large in the pregame conversation, but his teammates answered the bell convincingly. With Wembanyama unavailable, San Antonio’s roster depth was put to the test — and it passed. Champagnie posted 12 points and 11 rebounds, Keldon Johnson added another double-double with 11 points and 10 boards, and Barnes contributed 13 points and 3 steals. The Spurs are not a one-man team even when their franchise cornerstone sits out.

Fox Cementing His Role as San Antonio’s Offensive Engine

Since arriving in San Antonio, De’Aaron Fox has steadily elevated his game alongside the French phénomène. On nights when Wembanyama is unavailable, Fox’s ability to carry offensive load becomes the team’s most critical variable — and against Portland, he was simply unstoppable. His 37-point, 8-assist, 3-steal line is the kind of performance that silences any doubts about the Fox–Wembanyama pairing’s long-term viability.

Looking Ahead: Wembanyama’s Return Cannot Come Soon Enough

The Spurs improve their record with this road victory and keep pace in an increasingly competitive Western Conference. The next priority for San Antonio’s coaching staff will be monitoring Victor Wembanyama’s status heading into the team’s upcoming schedule. A healthy and available pivot changes every defensive calculus for opposing teams — and for a Spurs squad that just proved it can win without him, his return would make them a genuine threat on any given night.

• De’Aaron Fox — 37 pts, 8 ast, 6 reb, 3 stl (+21)
• Devin Vassell — 23 pts, 6 reb, 9/17 FG (+9)
• Harrison Barnes — 13 pts, 5 reb, 3 stl (+4)
• Julian Champagnie — 12 pts, 11 reb, 2 blk (+10)
• Keldon Johnson — 11 pts, 10 reb (+8)