The Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is set for a compelling NBA showdown on Saturday, January 3, 2026, as the home team Spurs prepare to welcome the visiting Portland Trail Blazers. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Team Form and Standings Ahead of the Clash
The San Antonio Spurs enter this contest with an impressive 25-9 record, firmly holding the second spot in the highly competitive Western Conference. Their success has been built on a strong 12-4 home record, making them a formidable force on their own court. In contrast, the Portland Trail Blazers have struggled to find consistency, arriving with a 15-20 record that places them 10th in the conference, fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
Injury Report: Both Sides Missing Star Power
Availability will be a major storyline for this matchup, as both teams are dealing with significant absences. The injury report reveals a challenging scenario for the players who will take the floor.
The Spurs will once again be without their two major contributors. Victor Wembanyama (Power Forward) is out with a knee injury, while Devin Vassell (Shooting Guard) is sidelined with a groin issue.
Portland's situation appears even more dire. Their list of unavailable players runs deep, impacting their rotation severely. Key starters Jerami Grant (Small Forward, Achilles) and Scoot Henderson (Point Guard, Hamstring) are both ruled out. They are joined by Matisse Thybulle (Shooting Guard, Thumb) and Robert Williams III (Center, Knee) on the sidelines.
Key Matchups and Players to Watch
With stars absent, other players must step up. For San Antonio, the offensive burden falls heavily on De'Aaron Fox. He has taken control of the Spurs' attack, posting multiple 24-point games recently. He is expected to exploit favorable matchups against a Portland backcourt missing its primary defender in Scoot Henderson.
Portland's offensive hopes will rest on the shoulders of Deni Avdija. He has been carrying the load, averaging 25.6 points per game and coming off a 34-point performance against New Orleans. He will need a similar heroic effort against a Spurs team that ranks near the top of the league in rebounding.
Statistical Breakdown and Betting Lines
A look at the team stats highlights the challenges Portland faces. The Spurs average 118.3 points per game (PPG) while allowing 112.2. Portland scores slightly more at 119.3 PPG but gives up a concerning 121.4 points. The critical difference lies in efficiency: San Antonio shoots 48.2% from the field (6th in NBA), while Portland manages only 44.6% (29th). The Spurs also dominate the boards, ranking 3rd with 46.3 rebounds per game (RPG), and are much better at protecting the ball, averaging only 13.7 turnovers per game (TOPG) compared to Portland's league-worst 16.4.
Reflecting these disparities, the betting markets favor the Spurs. San Antonio is favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points. The total points over/under is set between 235.5 and 238.5. The game will be broadcast on KUNP in Portland and FDSSW in San Antonio, with streaming available via NBA League Pass, the ESPN app, or Fubo.
Prediction and Expected Outcome
The Spurs have demonstrated an ability to win even without Wembanyama, relying on Fox, Stephon Castle, and valuable bench contributions from players like Kelly Olynyk. Portland's path to victory is narrow; it would require another massive night from Avdija and strong interior play from Donovan Clingan, but the absence of Jerami Grant severely weakens their defense.
Given San Antonio's reliability at home, superior shooting, rebounding, and ball security, they are positioned to control the game. Expect the Spurs to pull away in the second half for a comfortable victory. A final score in the range of 118-108 in favor of San Antonio aligns with how the teams match up on paper and given the current injury reports.
