The 2026 NBA Playoffs open in San Antonio with a fascinating contrast in styles as the No. 2 seed Spurs host the No. 7 seed Portland Trail Blazers on NBC and Peacock. The matchup marks the postseason return of playoff basketball to Texas for the first time in seven years. The Spurs (62-20) have been one of the league's dominant forces since February, led by the incredible all-around play of third-year superstar Victor Wembanyama, who averaged 25 points and 3.1 blocks this season.

Its been a beat as well for Portland (42-40) since they have seen the postseason. This is the Blazers’ first playoff appearance and in fact, first winning season since the 2020-21 campaign. The Trail Blazers secured the seventh seed with a 114-110 win at Phoenix in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday.

Led by Deni Avdija (24.2 ppg and 6.7 apg) Portland is looking to become just the 4th team to win a playoff series after advancing through the Play-In Tournament since it was adopted in its current format in 2021.San Antonio won the regular season series, 2-1, including a 112-101 home win on April 8. Wembanyama did not play in any of the Spurs’ 3 games against Portland. It is the only team he did not face this season.This matchup also pits former high-profile college teammates against each other as UConn Huskies’ Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle get set to battle.

Each are major factors on the Blazers and Spurs respectively. Clingan finished the regular season as the NBA’s leading offensive rebounder (4.5 OREB/gm) and 3rd in the NBA in overall rebounding (11.6 rpg). He also led the NBA in total rebounds (892) and total offensive rebounds (a franchise-record 347).

Castle followed up his 2024-25 Rookie of the Year campaign with improvements across the board in points and rebounds as well as a team-leading 7.4 assists per game.This series may well come down to which team controls the boards. Behind Clingan’s NBA-leading 4.5 offensive rebounds per game, the Trail Blazers were second in the NBA in offensive rebounding (14.1 OREB/gm) and led the NBA in second chance points (18.4 per game) during the regular season. Conversely, thanks in large part to Wembanyama’s 9.5 defensive rebounds per game (second in the NBA, behind only Nikola Jokic’s 9.9/gm), the Spurs led the NBA in defensive rebounds per game (35.6) and allowed the 4th-fewest 2nd chance points in the NBA (13.7 per gm).

The breakdown of this matchup may well be that simple.This will be the fifth playoff meeting between San Antonio and Portland but the first since 2014. The Spurs have won the most recent three series.Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage.

The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content. Game Details and How to Watch Live: Trail Blazers vs. SpursDate: Sunday, April 19, 2026Time: 9PM ESTSite: Frost Bank CenterCity: San Antonio, TXNetwork/Streaming: NBC/PeacockRotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams.

Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!Game Odds: Trail Blazers vs. SpursThe latest odds as of Sunday courtesy of DraftKings:Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers (+400), San Antonio Spurs (-535)Spread: Spurs -10.5Total: 221.5 pointsThis game opened Spurs -10.5 with the Game Total set at 222.5.Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule! Expected Starting Lineups: Trail Blazers vs.

SpursPortland Trail BlazersPG Jrue HolidaySG Scoot HendersonC Donovan ClinganSF Toumani CamaraPF Deni AvdijaSan Antonio SpursG Stephon CastlePG De’Aaron FoxG Devin VassellSF Julian ChampagniePF Victor WembanyamaInjury Report: Trail Blazers vs. SpursPortland Trail BlazersDamian Lillard (Achilles) has been declared OUT of Sunday’s gameSan Antonio SpursJordan McLaughlin (ankle) has been declared OUT of Sunday’s gameDavid Jones Garcia (ankle) has been declared OUT of Sunday’s gameImportant stats, trends and insights: Trail Blazers vs. SpursThe Spurs are 32-8 at home this seasonThe Blazers are 19-23 on the road this seasonThe Spurs are 45-36-2 ATS this seasonPortland is 45-38 ATS this seasonThe OVER has cashed in 43 of the Trail Blazers’ 83 games this season (43-40)The OVER has cashed in 36 of the Spurs’ 83 games this season (36-47)Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points with 10 blocks the last