Spurs reach second round as 76ers stay alive against Celtics

WASHINGTON: The San Antonio Spurs moved into the second round of the NBA playoffs on Tuesday after leading throughout a 114-95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, sealing their Western Conference first-round series 4-1.

Victor Wembanyama finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks for San Antonio, which won a playoff series for the first time since 2017. De'Aaron Fox added 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as the Spurs closed out the best-of-seven matchup.

San Antonio, who had recovered from a 19-point deficit to win game four, made a fast start and stretched their advantage to as many as 28 points before taking a 65-45 lead into the break. Portland later produced an 11-0 run that reduced a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to nine, but the Spurs regained control.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, "It did feel like we let our foot off the gas," while adding, "NBA games are long, it's not an excuse. That means we've got to be better, but zero lead changes is zero lead changes." He also said of his young side, who had six players score in double figures, "We have a lot of things we can be better at, but we're ready to step up to the plate and swing."

Seeded second in the Western Conference, San Antonio are pursuing a sixth NBA title and their first since 2014. They will next meet either the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference semi-finals. Minnesota currently lead that series 3-2.

Philadelphia extend series

In the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia avoided elimination with a 113-97 victory over the Boston Celtics, cutting the series deficit to 3-2.

Joel Embiid scored 33 points and handed out eight assists in just his second game since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 9. Tyrese Maxey contributed 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George added 16 points and nine rebounds.

Embiid said, "It's kind of hard. I only had one chance to go up and back (on the court) before I came back," adding, "Using this game and last game to kind of get back into it." He said, "I found my rhythm in the second half. We adjusted some stuff at half-time. I feel OK. I feel good. We got a win. That's all that matters."

The series returns to Philadelphia for game six on Thursday, with a seventh game, if required, set for Boston on Saturday. Embiid said, "We did our job," and added, "We're going to need everybody to come back to Boston."

For Boston, Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 16 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown scored 22. The Celtics were outscored 28-11 in the fourth quarter, their lowest-scoring quarter of the season, despite having the chance to clinch the series. Boston have missed the playoffs only once since 2007 and are seeking a fifth straight trip to the second round. Philadelphia, meanwhile, have not won a playoff series since sweeping Brooklyn in the first round in 2023.

Knicks take 3-2 lead

Elsewhere, the New York Knicks took a 3-2 lead in their series against the Atlanta Hawks with a 126-97 home win.

Jalen Brunson scored 39 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and also had eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added 16 points and 14 rebounds for New York. Atlanta must now win game six at home on Thursday to force a deciding seventh game in New York on Saturday.

The winner of the Celtics-76ers series will face either the Knicks or the Hawks in the second round.