Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs to Western Conference semi-finals at Frost Bank Center, San Antonio; First Western Conference semi-final since 2017.

NBA Playoffs 2026: Victor Wembanyama heroics guide San Antonio Spurs to Western Conference semi-finals

The San Antonio Spurs are through to the Western Conference semi-finals for the first time since 2017. Up next, they face either the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves.

BasketballstarVictor Wembanyamaguided theSan Antonio Spursto theNBA’sWestern Conferencesemi-finals with a remarkable double-double against thePortland Trail Blazerson Tuesday (28 April).

TheParis 2024Olympic silver medallist registered 17 points and 14 rebounds, while his team-mateDe’Aaron Foxalso joined the party in Texas with a game-high 21 as San Antonio won 114-95 against Portland in Game 5 of their first-round play-off series.

Julian Champagniealso added 19 points, andDylan Harperregistered 17, guiding the team to their third straight win.

The statement victory at Frost Bank Center clinched a 4-1 series win for the Western Conference’s second-seeded San Antonio, who are in the semi-finals for the first time since 2017.

Up next, San Antonio face either theDenver Nuggetsor theMinnesota Timberwolvesin the semi-finals. Minnesota have a 3-2 lead against Denver ahead of Game 6 on Thursday.

The last time San Antonio played in the Western Conference semi-finals, they defeated theHouston Rocketsbut failed to get past theGolden State Warriorsin the finals.

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Joel Embiid shines as Philadelphia 76ers stay alive in playoffs race in Eastern Conference

A marvellous 33-point display byJoel Embiidushered thePhiladelphia 76ersto a 113-97 victory against theBoston Celtics, keeping them alive in the playoffs race in theEastern Conference.

Philadelphia now trail 3-2 against Boston and should they win Game 6 at home, the series will be forced to a decider at second seed Boston on Saturday.

The winners of this face-off are due to face either theNew York KnicksorAtlanta Hawksin the Eastern Conference semi-finals. New York has a 3-2 lead ahead of Game 6.

“I found my rhythm in the second half,” said Embiid, who played in only his second game since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on 9 April.

“We adjusted some stuff at half-time and got a win. That’s all that matters.

“We’re going to need everybody to come back to Boston,” he concluded.

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