By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2026-04-17 13:37:20
2026年1月3日，星期六，在圣安东尼奥举行的一场NBA常规赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (5) 在对阵波特兰开拓者队的比赛中得分。(美联社照片/Eric Gay)
经历了82场常规赛和近48分钟的附加赛等待，马刺队终于确定了他们七年来首个季后赛对手的身份。
你好，波特兰开拓者。
周二晚上，开拓者队前往菲尼克斯，在一场狂野且胶着的西部附加赛中以114-110获胜，锁定了7号种子席位，并赢得了在季后赛首轮挑战2号种子马刺队的机会。双方的首场对决计划于周日晚8点在霜冻银行中心（Frost Bank Center）开打。
全明星后卫德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)——在接下来的一个半星期里，他注定会成为圣安东尼奥的“头号公敌”——砍下41分，带领波特兰完成了一场疯狂的逆转胜利。
这只是马刺队面临的关键对位之一。马刺队在经历了一个打破所有预期、夺得西部第二的辉煌赛季后，即将迎来2019年以来的首场季后赛。以下是各位置对位的详细解析：
2026年1月3日，星期六，在圣安东尼奥举行的一场NBA常规赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (5) 在波特兰开拓者队中锋多诺万·克林根（右）面前寻找传球机会。(美联社照片/Eric Gay)
控球后卫
**马刺：**斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (6-6，第2个赛季)
**开拓者：**朱·霍勒迪 (6-4，第17个赛季)
**解析：**斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 在其2024-25赛季“年度最佳新秀”的表现基础上，以惊人的方式更进一步，在二年级赛季成长为NBA顶尖的攻防一体核心之一。他的场均得分提升了2分，达到16.7分，各项投篮命中率均有显著进步，同时以场均7.1次助攻领跑全队。在本系列赛中，卡斯尔最重要的任务将是协助限制波特兰全明星德尼·阿夫迪亚。他已经展现出了足以胜任这一任务的防守功底。35岁的朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 较全明星巅峰时期虽有所下滑，但他带来的老道经验是开拓者可以依赖的支柱。
**优势：**马刺。
2026年4月8日，星期三，在圣安东尼奥霜冻银行中心举行的一场主场比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫德阿隆·福克斯 (4) 在对阵波特兰开拓者队的比赛中寻找传球机会。
得分后卫
**马刺：**德阿隆·福克斯 (6-3，第8个赛季)
**开拓者：**斯库特·亨德森 (6-4，第3个赛季)
**解析：**马刺队通过交易得到德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox)，并给了他队史最丰厚的合同——四年2.29亿美元——正是为了这样的时刻。在效力球队的首个完整赛季中，福克斯平衡了自己的得分欲望，将部分持球权让给了卡斯尔和天才新秀迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)。因此，福克斯的场均得分降至2018-19赛季以来的最低水平（18.6分），他用个人出手和使用率换来了职业生涯单赛季最多的胜场。……在2022年夏天的约45秒时间里，球探们曾争论斯库特·亨德森 (Scoot Henderson) 和维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 谁该成为2023年的状元秀。亨德森最终在第三顺位被选中，布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller) 在第二顺位被夏洛特截胡。到目前为止，他的职业生涯表现起伏不定。
**优势：**马刺。
2024年12月13日，星期五，在俄勒冈州波特兰举行的一场NBA常规赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫德文·瓦塞尔 (24) 带球过场，波特兰开拓者队前锋德尼·阿夫迪亚 (8) 进行防守。圣安东尼奥马刺以118-116获胜。(美联社照片/Amanda Loman)
小前锋
**马刺：**德文·瓦塞尔 (6-5，第6个赛季)
**开拓者：**德尼·阿夫迪亚 (6-8，第7个赛季)
**解析：**自2024-25赛季前通过与华盛顿的交易来到波特兰后，这位以色列出生的球员阿夫迪亚的表现令人惊叹。可以毫不夸张地说，如果没有他，这支令人惊喜的开拓者队无法拿到第七种子席位，他在附加赛战胜菲尼克斯的比赛中砍下的41分起到了决定性作用。限制这位狡黠的阿夫迪亚的关键在于让他远离罚球线。本赛季他的罚球次数排在NBA第三位，仅次于谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 和卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic)。……25岁的德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell) 已成长为一名能够瞬间爆发得分的得分手，同时在防守端也有所贡献。鉴于波特兰在防守中距离方面的困难，瓦塞尔的急停跳投可能会让他们大吃苦头。
**优势：**开拓者。
2026年1月3日，星期六，在圣安东尼奥举行的一场NBA常规赛下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋朱利安·尚帕尼 (30) 在波特兰开拓者队中锋杨瀚森 (16) 面前投篮。(美联社照片/Eric Gay)
大前锋
**马刺：**朱利安·尚帕尼 (6-7，第4个赛季)
**开拓者：**图马尼·卡马拉 (6-8，第3个赛季)
**解析：**自从马刺队在2022年2月从裁员名单的废纸堆中捡回24岁的朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie) 以来，他一直是NBA最成功的励志故事之一。本赛季尚帕尼投中了195记三分球，打破了由丹尼·格林 (Danny Green) 保持了10年之久的马刺队史纪录。尚帕尼还保持着马刺队单场三分球纪录，在除夕战胜纽约的比赛中投中了11记三分。简而言之，尚帕尼是那种一旦手感发烫就能左右一场比赛，甚至是一个系列赛的射手。……作为2023年选秀的第52顺位成员，图马尼·卡马拉 (Toumani Camara) 的三分命中率足以与尚帕尼媲美，同时他也凭借联盟顶尖侧翼防守者的身份成名。
**优势：**开拓者。
俄勒冈州波特兰 - 12月13日：2024年12月13日，在波特兰摩达中心举行的常规赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队1号维克托·文班亚马在波特兰开拓者队23号多诺万·克林根头顶投篮。
中锋
**马刺：**维克托·文班亚马 (7-4，第3个赛季)
**开拓者：**多诺万·克林根 (7-2，第2个赛季)
**解析：**在那场改变圣安东尼奥一切的选秀近三年后，文班亚马终于准备好首次登上NBA季后赛的舞台。这位前状元秀完全兑现了所有的期待甚至更多，他打出的这个赛季肯定会为他赢得职业生涯首个“年度最佳防守球员”和“最佳阵容”荣誉，同时也会收获MVP选票。文班亚马是马刺队赢得62场胜利、斩获2号种子并拥有联盟前三攻防水平的首要原因。……多诺万·克林根 (Donovan Clingan) 在康涅狄格大学曾与卡斯尔搭档，他身上带着该校标志性的坚韧和强悍。他的892个总篮板球排名全联盟第一，而领跑全联盟的345个前场篮板也刷新了开拓者队史纪录。克林根是马刺队必须重视的球员，但他并非文班亚马。话说回来，世界上也没有第二个文班亚马。
**优势：**马刺。
2026年4月8日，星期三，在圣安东尼奥霜冻银行中心举行的对阵波特兰开拓者队的第四节比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋凯尔登·约翰逊 (3) 对前锋卡特·布莱恩特 (11) 投中的三分球做出反应。马刺队以112-101击败了开拓者队。
替补
解析：马刺队本想成为队史首支拥有八名球员场均得分上双的球队，但因哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes) 的场均得分定格在9.9分而功亏一篑。巧合的是，波特兰最终获得了这一荣誉，他们的第八号得分手（凯莱布·洛夫 (Caleb Love)）场均贡献10.4分。尽管如此，马刺队拥有“年度最佳第六人”的领跑者凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)，而新秀后卫迪伦·哈珀在大多数其他NBA球队中很可能都是首发。两人都是货真价实的比赛改变者。开拓者的替补席在某种程度上处于变动中。谢顿·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe) 和杰拉米·格兰特 (Jerami Grant) 在本赛季大部分时间都是首发，但在开拓者的附加赛胜利中，由于伤愈复出，他们都是替补出场。
**优势：**马刺。
教练
**马刺：**米奇·约翰逊 (第2年)
**开拓者：**蒂亚戈·斯普利特 (第1年)
**解析：**本系列赛的两位教练都是在意外情况下接手工作的——米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 是因为格雷格·波波维奇 (Gregg Popovich) 在2024年11月中风，而蒂亚戈·斯普利特 (Tiago Splitter) 则是因为昌西·比卢普斯 (Chauncey Billups) 在本赛季仅进行一场比赛后因赌博指控被捕。这是两人作为主帅参加的首个季后赛系列赛。41岁的斯普利特曾是马刺队中锋，也是球队2014年NBA总冠军成员，他成功稳住了开拓者，带领球队自2021年以来首次重返季后赛。39岁的约翰逊在上赛季执教了马刺77场比赛，随后在他的第二个赛季带领球队拿到了自2015-16赛季以来的首个60胜赛季。首席助教肖恩·斯威尼 (Sean Sweeney) 应该能帮助弥补约翰逊季后赛经验的不足，他曾作为助理教练在布鲁克林、密尔沃基和达拉斯经历过季后赛，并且是独行侠队闯入2024年NBA总决赛的一员。
**优势：**马刺。
预测：马刺 4-1 晋级。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：Spurs vs. Blazers: Breaking down each positional matchup
Spurs vs. Blazers: Breaking down each positional matchup
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) scores against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
It took 82 games and nearly 48 more minutes waiting on a play-in game, but the Spurs know the identity of their first playoff opponent in seven years.
Hello, Portland Trail Blazers.
The Blazers went to Phoenix on Tuesday night and won a wild and wooly Western Conference play-in game 114-110, earning the No. 7 seed and earning a first-round date with the second-seeded Spurs. Game 1 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Sunday at the Frost Bank Center.
All-Star guard Deni Advija — who is destined to spend the next week and a half as Public Enemy No. 1 in San Antonio — scored 41 points to lead Portland to a frenetic comeback victory.
That is just one key matchup for the Spurs, who are set to play in their first playoff game since 2019 following a banner season in which they blew all expectations out of the water and captured the second seed in the Western Conference. Here is a breakdown on what to expect from each matchup:
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) looks koto pass around Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
POINT GUARD
Spurs: Stephon Castle (6-6, 2nd season)
Trail Blazers: Jrue Holiday (6-4, 17th)
Breakdown: Castle built upon his 2024-25 Rookie of the Year campaign in spectacular fashion, emerging as one of the NBA’s top two-way forces in his sophomore season. His scoring average increased two points to 16.7 per game, with notable jumps in every shooting category, while leading the team at 7.1 assists. In this series, Castle’s most significant job will be to help keep Portland All-Star Deni Advija under wraps. His has displayed the defensive chops to do it. The 35-year-old Holiday has slowed a bit from his All-Star heyday, but brings a veteran savvy the Blazers can lean upon.
Edge: Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) looks to make a pass during a home game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
SHOOTING GUARD
Spurs: De’Aaron Fox (6-3, 8th)
Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (6-4, 3rd).
Breakdown: The Spurs traded for De’Aaron Fox and gave him the most lucrative contract in club history – four years, $229 million – precisely for moments such as this. Fox’s first full season with the club saw him balance his own scoring with ceding on-the-ball reps to Castle and rookie phenom Dylan Harper. As a result, Fox’s scoring average dropped to its lowest level since 2018-19 (18.6 points), as he traded shots and uses for the most victories of his career. … For about 45 seconds in the summer of 2022, scouts argued whether Henderson or Victor Wembanyama should be the first pick in the 2023 draft. Henderson eventually went third, with Brandon Miller leapfrogging him at No. 2 to Charlotte. His career has been hit or miss so far.
Edge: Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) brings the ball up court as Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Portland, Ore. The San Antonio Spurs won 118-116. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
SMALL FORWARD
Spurs: Devin Vassell (6-5, 6th)
Trail Blazers: Deni Avdija (6-8, 7th)
Breakdown: The Israeli-born Avdija has been revelation since arriving in Portland via trade with Washington prior to the 2024-25 season. It is fair to say the surprising Blazers would not have obtained the seventh seed without him, as his 41 points proved decisive in a play-in victory over Phoenix. The key to slowing the crafty Avdija lies in keeping him off the foul line. He took the third-most free throws in the NBA this season behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic. … The 25-year-old Vassell has blossomed as scorer who can get buckets in bursts, while also contributing on defense. Given Portland’s difficulty in defending the midrange, Vassell could have a field day with pull-up jumpers.
Edge: Blazers.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
POWER FORWARD
Spurs: Julian Champagnie (6-7. 4th)
Trail Blazers: Toumani Camara (6-8, 3rd)
Breakdown: The 24-year-old Champagnie has been one of the NBA’s top success stories since the Spurs salvaged him from the waiver-wire scrap heap in February 2022. With 195 3-pointers this season, Champagnie broke the Spurs’ 10-year-old record once held by Danny Green. Champagnie also holds the Spurs’ single-game 3-point mark, swishing 11 in a New Year’s Eve victory over New York. In short, Champagnie is the type of shooter who can get hot enough to swing a game and, perhaps, a series. … The 52nd pick in the 2023 draft, Camara shoots the 3-ball at a clip that rivals Champagnie, while also making a name as one of the top wing defenders in the league.
Edge: Blazers.
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 13: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball over Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Moda Center on December 13, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.
CENTER
Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (7-4, 3rd)
Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan (7-2, 2nd)
Breakdown: Nearly three years after the draft that changed everything in San Antonio, Wembanyama is ready to take the NBA playoff stage for the first time. The former No. 1 pick has lived up to every bit of hype and more, turning in a season sure to result in his first Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA nods, with MVP votes incoming as well. Wembanyama is the prime reason the Spurs won 62 games, grabbed the No. 2 seed and boast a top-3 offense and defense. … Clingan played college ball at Connecticut with Castle, and comes with some of that program’s signature grit and toughness. His 892 total rebounds were most in the NBA, while his league-leading 345 offensive boards set a Blazers record. Clingan is a player the Spurs will have to account for, but he’s no Wembanyama. Then again, nobody is.
Edge: Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) reacts to a 3-pointer made by San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The Spurs defeated the Trail Blazers 112-101.
BENCH
Breakdown: The Spurs’ bid to become the first club in franchise history to have eight players average at least 10 points failed when Harrison Barnes clocked in at 9.9. Coincidentally, Portland ended up taking that honor, with its eighth-leading scorer (Caleb Love) putting up 10.4 points per game. Still, the Spurs boast a possible Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner in Keldon Johnson, whilerookie guard Dylan Harper would likely be starting for most other NBA teams. Both are bona fide game changers. The Blazers’ bench is in a state of flux, somewhat. Shaeden Sharpe and Jerami Grant both started more often than not throughout the season, but came off the bench in the Blazers’ play-in victory while working back from injuries.
Edge: Spurs.
COACHING
Spurs: Mitch Johnson (2nd year)
Trail Blazers: Tiago Splitter (1st year)
Breakdown: Both coaches in this series came about their jobs due to unexpected circumstances – Johnson as a result of Gregg Popovich’s stroke in November of 2024, Splitter by way of Chauncey Billups’ arrest on gambling charges one game into this season. It is the first playoff series at the helm for either man. The 41-year-old Splitter, a former Spurs center and member of the club’s 2014 NBA championship squad, did well to steady the Trail Blazers en route to their first playoff appearance since 2021. The 39-year-old Johnson guided the Spurs for 77 games last season before producing the franchise’s first 60-win season since 2015-16 in his second go-round. Associate head coach Sean Sweeney should help leaven some of Johnson’s playoff inexperience, having reached the postseason as an assistant with Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Dallas and was part of the Mavericks’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Edge: Spurs.
PREDICTION: Spurs in 5.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News