Hey, this story about trust and pride and darkness and a loose cow now is also about the NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Pretty cool for that area buckaroo.

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Nearly a decade ago, the Spurs' last deep playoff run all but ended when Zaza Pachulia slid under the feet of Kawhi Leonard. The circumstances are different this time, but you can forgive Spurs fans their flashbacks. Wemby Watch is officially on in San Antonio: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

It all can end, just like that. With one horrific bounce of a chin off a hardwood floor, a whole plan can fall apart, and Fiesta can turn into Dia de los Playoff Muertos. The good news is Victor Wembanyama got back up. Now the Spurs have to do the same. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The (taking it on the chin) triple take: Blazers 106, Spurs 103 1. Spurs needed more from everyone to survive Wemby's absence 2. The other high lottery pick from the 2023 draft had a night 3. Vassell deserved his moment, but the basketball gods are cruel www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

In addition to Mitch Johnson’s answer to @tomorsborn.bsky.social at the presser, two other Spurs officials have been even more definitive: Wemby did not break his jaw. He did not go to the hospital. No matter what you read on the Internet.

The (taking it on the chin) triple take: Blazers 106, Spurs 103 1. Spurs needed more from everyone to survive Wemby's absence 2. The other high lottery pick from the 2023 draft had a night 3. Vassell deserved his moment, but the basketball gods are cruel www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

"It's the first of many." Forget Defensive Player of the Year. Victor Wembanyama aims to become Defensive Player of the Decade. Reaction from today's DPOY news conference: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs... via @expressnews

Same as all season, I reckon

"We've been really great in the regular season. So we had no reason to act differently or do anything different.” After Sunday, Victor Wembanyama is no longer a playoff newbie, and neither are any of his teammates. What that means headed to Game 2 vs Portland: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Unanimous DPOY. First ever. Via @tomorsborn.bsky.social www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

"We've been really great in the regular season. So we had no reason to act differently or do anything different.” After Sunday, Victor Wembanyama is no longer a playoff newbie, and neither are any of his teammates. What that means headed to Game 2 vs Portland: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The triple take (playoff version): Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98 1. Wemby-fueled playoff win was worth the wait 2. Spurs' defense leads the way 3. Hats off to Devin Vassell, whose third-quarter burst helped the Spurs run away with Game 1 www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The triple take (playoff version): Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98 1. Wemby-fueled playoff win was worth the wait 2. Spurs' defense leads the way 3. Hats off to Devin Vassell, whose third-quarter burst helped the Spurs run away with Game 1 www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Victor Wembanyama's 35 points were in most in Spurs history in a playoff debut

Unofficially going to say the Spurs have already set a single-game club playoff record for lob dunks

My man!

Keldon Johnson's first career postseason FG: A buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the first-quarter horn.

Y'all ready for this?

Welcome back to the NBA playoffs, San Antonio!

Fresh off the rack. Here we go!

When it ends, there will be ample time for perspective. And for logic. And for gratitude. When it ends, the Spurs can think rationally about how far ahead of schedule they already are. But between now and then? There’s no harm in staying unreasonable. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The Spurs' dynasty fell apart, brick by brick. First Duncan. Then Manu. Then Parker. Then Kawhi. Sunday at the Frost Bank Center, a certain French phenom aims to take the next step in putting it all back together again. On Game 1 of the Wembanyama playoff era: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The Spurs' dynasty fell apart, brick by brick. First Duncan. Then Manu. Then Parker. Then Kawhi. Sunday at the Frost Bank Center, a certain French phenom aims to take the next step in putting it all back together again. On Game 1 of the Wembanyama playoff era: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

"You knew he was destined for great things.” On Sunday, Mitch Johnson will become the first Spurs coach not named Gregg Popovich to lead the team into a playoff series since 1996. Those who knew Johnson growing up in Seattle say he is made for this moment: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

"You knew he was destined for great things.” On Sunday, Mitch Johnson will become the first Spurs coach not named Gregg Popovich to lead the team into a playoff series since 1996. Those who knew Johnson growing up in Seattle say he is made for this moment: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Victor Wembanyama has won the Magic Johnson Award, presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association to a star player who exemplifies grace and cooperation in dealing with media and fans. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Come 8 p.m. Sunday, a 7-foot-4 skyscraper the Trail Blazers have not seen this season will stride to center court at the Frost Bank Center. Is Victor Wembanyama the Spurs' secret weapon in the first round? “The least best-kept secret,” Wembanyama cracked. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Come 8 p.m. Sunday, a 7-foot-4 skyscraper the Trail Blazers have not seen this season will stride to center court at the Frost Bank Center. Is Victor Wembanyama the Spurs' secret weapon in the first round? “The least best-kept secret,” Wembanyama cracked. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Mitch Johnson said after practice today he expects Dylan Harper (thumb) to be fully available for Game 1 on Sunday.

10 am central today. Come say hi.

Spurs' first-round pairing is set: It's Portland www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Bumping because gift links were screwy last week, and because it was a fun one: On a wandering Highland cow named Mulan, an NBA franchise emerging from a six-year drought, and how they both came home from the darkness, thanks to a rancher named Keldon Johnson: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The Spurs Insider gang is doing a live Q&A tomorrow on Zoom. It will be a good opportunity to tell @mikefinger.bsky.social he's full of it. Register for free here: www.expressnews.com/about/newsro...

Primed for their first playoff appearance in seven years, the Spurs will face the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Phoenix and Portland. At least one Spurs player admits to having a rooting interest. "Portland is a long flight," De'Aaron Fox chuckled. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Ran into Dylan Harper on his way out of the Frost Bank Center. He said he jammed his left thumb, which was why he came out of the game in the fourth quarter. He didn't seem too concerned going forward.

To be fair, the 65-game rule was negotiated between the league and players in the last CBA.

For awards eligibility purposes.

Per David Adelman: Nikola Jokic will play the first half tonight vs Spurs. Plan for second half TBD.

With Wembanyama and Luke Kornet out, Mason Plumlee will start at center for the Spurs vs. Denver tonight

This just in from the Spurs: Victor Wembanyama will not play in tonight's regular-season finale vs. Denver. His next game will be Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs.

Wrote about a wandering Highland cow named Mulan, an NBA franchise emerging from a six-year drought, and how they both came home from the darkness, thanks in part to a rancher named Keldon Johnson. Gift link: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

This @mikefinger.bsky.social piece completely nails the Keldon Johnson many of us have gotten to know over the past seven years. He is the unabashed cultural centerpiece of a team ready to reassert its dominance in the Western Conference playoffs. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

This week, Victor Wembanyama has to gut out 20 minutes of with a bruised rib in a game that can only affect the Spurs' playoff fortunes if he gets hurt. A look at the NBA's well-intentioned 65-game rule, and the side effects it induces: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs... via @expressnews

The (12-5 without Wemby) triple take: Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101 1. Spurs can still face the Blazers in the first round 2. With Wemby and Castle out, De'Aaron Fox steps to the fore 3. Bryant's best NBA game went beyond the ball going in the hoop www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The (12-5 without Wemby) triple take: Spurs 112, Trail Blazers 101 1. Spurs can still face the Blazers in the first round 2. With Wemby and Castle out, De'Aaron Fox steps to the fore 3. Bryant's best NBA game went beyond the ball going in the hoop www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Carter Bryant has career highs with five 3-pointers and 17 points. And even without all that, he is having one of his best games ... doing all kinds of little things well.

I think that might have been Blake Wesley's first successful reverse layup inside the Frost Bank Center.

Largest deficit in 10 games. Wow.

Spurs lead Blazers 32-23 after 1Q. Fox with a quick 11 points. Harper with 7. Carter Bryant with some productive minutes as well.