National Basketball Association

Snake rattles Blazers in AT&T Center locker room

Published May. 8, 2014 9:25 p.m. ET

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The Portland Trail Blazers were clearly rattled by the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals, and they were almost snakebit before Game 2.

A snake, estimated at about 3 feet to 4 feet, was discovered in the team's locker room at the AT&T Center about two hours before the game Thursday.

It was found by reserve forward Thomas Robinson, who recoiled a few feet after seeing the snake when he moved a bag from his locker.

''I didn't (see it),'' Portland coach Terry Stotts said. ''They said it was a young one.''

Young or not, guard Mo Williams tweeted that it was a scary experience.

The Trail Blazers thought Robinson had uncovered a rattlesnake, but arena workers later said it was a non-venomous snake.

''Well, it's bizarre to have a venomous snake in your locker room,'' Stotts said when the Blazers still thought that it was a rattler. ''I don't know if it's ever happened before. That sounds like an ABA story.''

The Spurs have a history in the ABA and also with critters in the AT&T Center.

The stadium hosts the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each February and its grounds are used for livestock shows during the three-week event.

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili also swatted down a bat that was flying above the court at the AT&T Center on Nov. 1, 2009. Ginobili had to have rabies shots after striking the bat with his bare hands.

Fortunately for the Spurs, Ginobili wasn't needed to corral the snake.

''I think some people here (captured it),'' Stotts said, smiling. ''They have them on hand at the AT&T Center. They have a specialist.''

It probably wasn't a good omen for Portland, which lost Game 2 and trails the Spurs 2-0 in the series.

''Or a good sign,'' Stotts said. ''We survived.''

Stotts was asked if he thought someone from the Spurs had planted the snake to rattle his young charges.

''You're the investigative reporter, you figure it out,'' Stotts said, tongue in cheek.

Stotts was then asked if he considered returning the favor and planting the snake in San Antonio's locker room.

''That thing, it's like Fort Knox over there. You can't get in,'' he said.

Well, the room with officials Joe Crawford, Bill Spooner, Derrick Stafford and Sean Wright is only about 50 feet away from the Blazers' locker room.

''And I can't comment on the officials,'' Stotts said, laughing.

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