Trail Blazers 2025-26 Season Review: Fight, But No Finish | San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO — The 2025-26 Portland Trail Blazers season concluded with a 3-1 series loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, bringing an end to a season that exceeded expectations but ultimately fell short of a deeper postseason run.

The Blazers, who finished the regular season with a 42-40 record, secured a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament and defeated the Phoenix Suns to earn their playoff berth, according to a report from Blazers Edge. Despite the early playoff exit, the season is being viewed as a success compared to recent years, having achieved the goals of reaching at least the Play-In and, the playoffs.

However, the manner of their elimination—a first-round loss to the Spurs—was “not the most cosmetically appealing,” as noted by Dave Deckard of Blazers Edge, prompting debate among fans about whether the season truly lived up to its potential.

Spurs Advance, Blazers Face Offseason Questions

The series against the Spurs was marked by physicality and a concerning injury to San Antonio’s star rookie, Victor Wembanyama, in Game 2. Wembanyama sustained a concussion after colliding with Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, forcing him to miss subsequent games. The incident briefly halted play and raised concerns about the Spurs’ postseason hopes, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

Despite the setback, the Spurs were able to overcome the loss of Wembanyama and secure the series victory. The Blazers, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent offensive production and were ultimately unable to contain the Spurs’ attack.

A Season of Progress for Portland

Despite the disappointing end, the 2025-26 season represented a clear step forward for the Trail Blazers. The team demonstrated resilience and a competitive spirit, exceeding many preseason expectations. The Play-In Tournament victory over the Suns was a particularly encouraging sign, showcasing the team’s ability to perform under pressure.

Deni Avdija emerged as a key player for the Blazers, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. Donovan Clingan also showed promise as a young big man, averaging a double-double and finishing fifth in the league in blocks. Scoot Henderson, despite missing the first 52 games of the season with a hamstring injury, flashed potential late in the year, including a 31-point performance in Game 2 against the Spurs, becoming the youngest Trail Blazer to reach that mark in a playoff game, according to Yahoo Sports.

The contributions of veteran Damian Lillard were missed this season, as he continued his recovery from a torn Achilles. His absence highlighted the need for continued development from the team’s younger players.

Looking Ahead to the 2026-27 Season

The Trail Blazers now enter the offseason with several key questions to address. The team will need to evaluate its roster, identify areas for improvement, and continue to develop its young core. The success of this season provides a foundation for optimism, but the Blazers will need to build on that momentum to take the next step toward becoming a consistent playoff contender.

As noted by Dan Titus of Yahoo Sports, the Trail Blazers are a team “trending upward with real fantasy assets worth targeting,” suggesting a positive outlook for the franchise’s future.