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Blazers rally past Spurs after Wembanyama exits with concussion, leveling series 1-1, while Sixers stun Celtics behind Edgecombe’s historic playoff performance.
Both the Spurs and the Celtics have thrown away their home-court advantage for now, having succumbed losses in their respective Game 2s (AP)
If Game 1s set the tone, Game 2s flipped the script.
Across both conferences, momentum swung wildly as injuries, late-game collapses and breakout performances reshaped two playoff series.
Wembanyama Injury Looms Large
The Portland Trail Blazers capitalised on a major injury scare to San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, rallying late for a gritty 106-103 win to level their Western Conference playoff series 1-1.
The turning point came early — Wembanyama crashed face-first onto the floor after contact from Jrue Holiday, his jaw hitting the hardwood in a scary fall during the second quarter.
Diagnosed with a concussion and placed in the NBA’s protocol, the 7-foot-4 phenom was ruled out for the remainder of the game and could now miss multiple games.
Before exiting, he managed just five points in 12 minutes, a stark contrast to his 35-point explosion in Game 1.
Scoot Henderson led the charge with 31 points, while Robert Williams III delivered the decisive moment — an alley-oop dunk with 12 seconds left for a 104-101 lead after a strong drive and assist from Deni Avdija.
Holiday added 16 points and nine assists, Avdija had 14, and Williams chipped in 11.
Stephon Castle put up 18 points, De’Aaron Fox logged 17 points of his own, while Devin Vassell registered a strong double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
But without Wemby anchoring both ends, the Spurs stalled when it mattered most.
Game 3 now shifts to Portland with serious questions hanging over San Antonio’s lineup.
Sixers Hit Back Against Celtics
Over in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers bounced back in style, beating the Boston Celtics 111-97 to tie their series 1-1.
Rookie V.J. Edgecombe delivered a statement performance — 30 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the first rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 to hit those numbers in a playoff game.
Tyrese Maxey added 29 points and nine assists as Philadelphia responded emphatically to their Game 1 blowout loss.
Boston, led by Jaylen Brown (36 points) and Jayson Tatum (19-14-9), briefly threatened in the fourth before an 11-0 Sixers run sealed it.
The Sixers now go back home for the next two games, as the Celtics will look to regain home-court advantage again.
(with AP inputs)
April 22, 2026, 09:08 IST
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