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Michael C. WrightApr 20, 2026, 01:48 AM ET<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Joined ESPN in 2010 Multiple Authors<\/p>\n SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama<\/a> checked out with 52.8 seconds left in the game, pumping his right fist in acknowledgment of the fiesta-clad crowd at Frost Bank Center celebrating the San Antonio Spurs<\/a>‘ first playoff victory in seven years.<\/p>\n Wembanyama scored a game-high 35 points Sunday to lead a 111-98 win<\/a> over the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> in Game 1 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Frenchman produced the highest-scoring output in franchise history for a Spur making his postseason debut, surpassing the previous mark of 32 points set by Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.<\/p>\n “I thought he was ready,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “There’s an approach that we all have in terms of expectation of a heightened level of preparation, detail, nuance, competitiveness, physicality, everything. There’s a real desire for that young man to participate in that. This was his first playoff game, and he has lofty expectations and goals for himself.”<\/p>\n Wembanyama made that apparent with a dominating performance against an opponent that deployed a variety of tactics and personnel groupings devoted to stopping him. Over the course of 33 minutes, Wembanyama faced eight different defenders, and the 22-year-old big man poured in buckets on each of them.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n On the other end of the floor, Wembanyama held Portland scoreless on 11 attempts when he was the contesting defender.<\/p>\n “He probably settled in a little bit later when he made some shots and his talent popped,” Johnson said. “But he really settled in there at a point when our defense kicked it into another gear. [Portland] did a good job of trying to create multiple actions and some confusion. [Wembanyama] did a good job of quarterbacking from the second line, getting guys organized.”<\/p>\n Wembanyama became the first player in NBA history to score 35 points or more in his postseason debut while connecting on at least five 3-pointers. Wembanyama shot 13-of-21 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, in addition to tallying five rebounds and two blocks.<\/p>\n “The first time I stepped on the court, even for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different,” Wembanyama said. “Everybody was ready. The fans were ready. It’s probably the most excitement I’ve seen this year in this arena. In terms of tactics, the sport aspect of it, it was different because we had more time to prepare.”<\/p>\n Wembanyama outpaced a strong postseason debut by Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija<\/a>, who finished with a team-high 30 points and became the first in franchise history to score 30 with 10 rebounds and five assists in a playoff game.<\/p>\n “Vic is Vic, and he had a tremendous game,” Spurs forward Devin Vassell<\/a> said.<\/p>\n Wembanyama knocked down 4-of-6 while guarded by Donovan Clingan<\/a> and hit 2-of-5 matched up against Robert Williams III<\/a>. Wembanyama was 2-of-4 for six points with one turnover on the six plays Portland double-teamed him.<\/p>\n He expects more attention and physicality from the Blazers in Game 2 on Tuesday.<\/p>\n “Of course,” Wembanyama said. “It’s their identity. It’s something to be expected, and it’s also to be expected that they’ll double up on that in the next games. But we’re ready.”<\/p>\n Wembanyama started Sunday’s contest sinking four of his first six shots and finished the first half with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep as San Antonio headed into intermission leading 59-49.<\/p>\n Portland started the second half on an 8-0 run to pull within two points on a Scoot Henderson<\/a> 14-foot pull-up jumper — but that’s as close as the Blazers would get.<\/p>\n The Spurs improved to 11-0 at home in the playoffs against Portland, the best home record by any NBA team against any franchise.<\/p>\n
\nPreviously covered Bears for ESPN.com
\nPlayed college football at West Texas A&M<\/p>\nSpurs luminaries David Robinson, top left, and Tim Duncan were on hand for Victor Wembanyama’s postseason debut and San Antonio’s first playoff victory in seven years.\u00a0Ronald Cortes\/Getty Images<\/p>\n