Overview
- The Portland forward and the Spurs guard clashed late Sunday in Game 4 when Stephon Castle pressed the ball into Deni Avdija’s chest, leading to shoves, words and offsetting technical fouls.
- Avdija said the ball shove was unnecessary and called it disrespectful, adding that Castle had been provoking him throughout the game.
- San Antonio won 114-93 to move ahead 3-1 in the first-round series, and Portland now faces elimination with Game 5 set for Tuesday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
- Portland squandered a 19-point first-half lead as the Spurs opened the third quarter on a 23-4 run and controlled the rest of the game.
- Avdija led the Blazers with 26 points, and teammates separated the players during the dust-up, with no ejections or suspensions reported ahead of Game 5.