The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the NBA playoffs for the first time in five years after defeating the Phoenix Suns in the 7/8 Play-In Game. Deni Avdija led the charge with an impressive 40-point performance, marking the third time in his career he has reached that scoring threshold. This victory sets up a first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, who are the second seed in the Western Conference. The last time these two teams faced off in the playoffs was in 2014, when the Spurs eliminated the Blazers in the second round. The playoff series is set to begin on April 19, 2026, with the full schedule confirmed. The Spurs won the regular-season series against the Blazers 2-1, but Victor Wembanyama did not participate in those games. Avdija had a standout performance against San Antonio this season, averaging 31.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and eight assists in their matchups. Both teams are preparing for a competitive series, with the Blazers looking to leverage their young talent against the Spurs' mix of experience and youth.