SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs began preparations for their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The 7-foot-4 center, in his third NBA season, is set to make his postseason debut when the No. 2-seeded Spurs host the No. 7-seeded Trail Blazers on Sunday at the Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n
San Antonio finished the regular season 62-20, while Portland advanced by beating Phoenix in the play-in tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve missed playing in high-stakes games,\u201d Wembanyama said.<\/p>\n
In his third year since being drafted first overall in 2023, Wembanyama has been the focal point of the Spurs\u2019 rise back to contention.<\/p>\n
The franchise last made the playoffs in 2019 and is seeking its first deep run since the Gregg Popovich-Tim Duncan era.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis moment is what you work on all year, but also your whole career,\u201d Wembanyama said. \u201cWe were dreaming of playoffs as kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spurs won the season series against Portland 2-1, most recently a 112-101 victory in early April, when Wembanyama did not play due to injury.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Wembanyama is ready to face the T-Blazers for the first time this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t really help it, but dream about it,\u201d Wembanyama said. \u201cWe have to stay grounded and stay in the moment. And before even thinking about a Game 1, I have to think about showing up the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The series opens with Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio, followed by Games 3 and 4 in Portland.<\/p>\n
Read also: <\/p>\n
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