SAN ANTONIO – Playoff basketball brought the drama on the court and a bit of playful chaos in the stands, as San Antonio Spurs fans found a new target of good-natured trolling: Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija’s chipped tooth.
Before and during Tuesday night’s Game 5 at Frost Bank Center, the Spurs Jackals leaned into Avdija’s chipped tooth by waving around small tooth props and turning it into an unexpected in-arena joke. (In case you missed it, Avdija chipped a tooth in Game 3 during a collision with De’Aaron Fox.)
“The Spurs Jackals showing love to Deni,” the Jackals said in an Instagram caption.
Avdija, for his part, didn’t bite on the distraction, continuing to play through the noise while focusing on the action. His resilience and determination were evident as he remained focused on the game despite the playful antics from the crowd.
The Spurs Jackals are a group of superfans that launched this season with support from Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The group’s approach is inspired by global soccer-style supporter culture, particularly in Europe, where coordinated chanting and singing throughout matches is common. This blend of basketball and fan culture is not only entertaining but also adds a unique atmosphere to Spurs games.
As for the Spurs, they beat the Trail Blazers 114-95 on Tuesday night, showcasing their strong performance and solidifying their place in the postseason. The victory propelled San Antonio into the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2017, a significant achievement for the franchise.
In 2017, the Spurs faced the Houston Rockets in the playoffs but were ultimately swept by the Golden State Warriors in the conference finals after losing star player Kawhi Leonard to an ankle injury. The Spurs’ current success reflects their growth and resilience as a team.
Looking ahead, the Spurs will face the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves currently lead that series 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday, making for an exciting conclusion to that matchup.
Read more: Wembanyama’s double-double powers Spurs past Trail Blazers and into Western Conference semifinals.
