- The Headline: Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points, breaking Tim Duncan’s Spurs record for the most points in a playoff debut.
- The Impact: San Antonio secured a 111-98 victory over Portland, marking the franchise’s first postseason win since 2019.
- Next Up: Game 2 tips off Tuesday night at the Frost Bank Center.
SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama didn’t just meet the hype; he vaporized it. The 7-foot-4 phenom scorched the Portland Trail Blazers for 35 points Sunday night, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory in his first career playoff appearance. The performance didn’t just win a game—it rewrote the history books in front of the legends who built the building.
The Record-Breaking Night
Wembanyama took only one quarter to prove the bright lights of the postseason wouldn’t blind him. He racked up 21 points by halftime, setting an NBA record for the most points in the opening half of a playoff debut since the league began tracking play-by-play data in 1997. By the final buzzer, his 35 points eclipsed the 32 Tim Duncan posted in his 1998 debut.
The Spurs star added 5 rebounds and 2 blocks, but his impact went beyond the box score. Midway through the first quarter, Wembanyama went behind his back at halfcourt to evade Deni Avdija, spun through the lane, and finished with a thunderous two-handed dunk that sent the sell-out crowd into a frenzy. Tim Duncan and David Robinson, watching from courtside, could only nod in approval.
Box Score Highlights: Spurs 111, Blazers 98
- San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (35 PTS, 5 REB), De’Aaron Fox (17 PTS, 8 AST), Stephon Castle (17 PTS, 7 AST).
- Portland Trail Blazers: Deni Avdija (30 PTS, 10 REB), Scoot Henderson (18 PTS, 5 AST), Shaedon Sharpe (14 PTS).
What They Said
“It is obviously different, but we’ve been really good in the regular season. So, we have no reason to act differently or do anything different.”
— Victor Wembanyama on his playoff mindset
“The Spurs put you in tough positions. Against them, you’ve got to shoot the ball well from 3s. We didn’t.”
— Tiago Splitter, Trail Blazers Head Coach
What This Means for the Series
San Antonio looks like a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. Their defense clamped down on Portland’s perimeter shooters, holding the Blazers to a dismal 10-for-38 from beyond the arc. While Deni Avdija carried the offensive load for Portland with 30 points, he lacked a secondary scoring punch as the Spurs’ size dominated the rebounding battle 45-38.
For Portland to survive Game 2, they must find a way to neutralize the Spurs’ supporting cast. While “Wemby” is the focal point, the arrival of De’Aaron Fox and the growth of Stephon Castle have given San Antonio a three-headed monster that looks ready for a deep run. The Blazers are now fighting an uphill battle against a team that has regained its championship DNA.
