Victor Wembanyama erupted for 35 points in his first NBA playoff game, powering the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the first-round series Sunday night. The Spurs controlled the tempo for much of the night and closed out possessions that kept Portland from mounting a sustained comeback.
Wembanyama poured in 21 points in the opening half, a mark that stands as the most by any player in the first half of a playoff debut since the play-by-play era began in 1997. His 35 points also set a Spurs record for scoring in a postseason debut, topping Tim Duncan’s 32-point performance in 1998. After the game Wembanyama said the team simply plans to stick with what has worked during the regular season: “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.”
Supporting Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each scored 17 points and combined for 15 assists, helping to keep San Antonio’s offense balanced. Portland got a strong night from Deni Avdija, who finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Scoot Henderson added 18. The teams meet again Tuesday in San Antonio for Game 2 before the series shifts to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
San Antonio’s defense was a deciding factor, holding the Trail Blazers to just 10-of-38 shooting from beyond the arc and winning the battle of the boards 45-38. The Spurs also answered Portland’s physical approach at times, forcing contested shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. Portland coach Tiago Splitter pointed to perimeter shooting as a key area for improvement: “The Spurs put you in tough positions. Against them, you’ve got to shoot the ball well from 3s. We didn’t. We’ve got to shoot the ball better.”
The atmosphere at the Frost Bank Center was electric for the franchise’s first playoff game since 2019, with a sellout crowd and several former Spurs legends in attendance. Wembanyama’s highlight-reel plays included a behind-the-back dribble at halfcourt, a spin move around Deni Avdija and a two-handed dunk that energized the building. Late in the third quarter San Antonio extended its lead after Devin Vassell swatted shots by Donovan Clingan and Jrue Holiday while putting together an eight-point streak. “That’s what we’ve talked about, just not giving up on the play,” Vassell said. “Every possession matters, whether it’s the first possession in the first quarter or the last possession in the fourth quarter. Play to the whistle.”
