Wembanyama tallies 35 points, the highest by a Spur in playoff debut, during Game 1 victory.
SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama exited the game with 52.8 seconds remaining, raising his right fist in appreciation of the fiesta-attired audience at Frost Bank Center, who were celebrating the San Antonio Spurs’ first playoff win in seven years.
Wembanyama recorded a game-high 35 points on Sunday, leading the Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The French player achieved the highest scoring total in franchise history for a Spur in their postseason debut, eclipsing the previous record of 32 points set by Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.
“I believed he was prepared,” said San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson. “We all share an approach regarding the expectation of a heightened level of preparation, detail, nuance, competitiveness, and physicality. There is a genuine desire for that young man to be part of it. This was his first playoff game, and he has high expectations and goals for himself.”
Wembanyama made his intentions clear with a commanding performance against an opponent that utilized various strategies and player combinations aimed at containing him. Throughout 33 minutes, Wembanyama encountered a total of eight different defenders, and the 22-year-old scored against all of them.
Defensively, Wembanyama held Portland scoreless on 11 attempts when he was the defending player.
“He probably found his rhythm a bit later when he made some shots and his talent became evident,” Johnson noted. “But he really settled in at a moment when our defense intensified. [Portland] did well to create multiple actions and some confusion. [Wembanyama] effectively organized the team from the second line.”
Wembanyama became the first player in NBA history to score 35 points or more in his playoff debut while making at least five 3-pointers. He finished the game shooting 13-of-21 from the field and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, along with five rebounds and two blocks.
“From the moment I stepped onto the court, even during warmups, I sensed the atmosphere was different,” Wembanyama remarked. “Everyone was prepared. The fans were enthusiastic. It’s likely the most excitement I’ve witnessed this year in this arena. In terms of strategy, the sporting aspect was distinct because we had more time to prepare.”
Wembanyama outperformed a notable playoff debut by Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, who recorded a team-high 30 points and became the first player in franchise history to achieve 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game.
“Vic is Vic, and he had an outstanding game,” stated Spurs forward Devin Vassell.
Wembanyama converted 4 of 6 attempts while being guarded by Donovan Clingan and made 2 of 5 against Robert Williams III. He was 2-of-4 for 7 points with only one turnover during the six plays in which Portland double-teamed him.
Wembanyama anticipates increased attention and physicality from the Trail Blazers in Game 2 on Tuesday.
“Of course,” Wembanyama acknowledged. “It’s part of their identity. It’s something to expect, and it’s also likely they will intensify that in the upcoming games. But we are prepared.”
Wembanyama began the game by making four of his first six shots and concluded the first half with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range, as San Antonio led 59-49 at halftime.
Portland opened the second half with an 8-0 run, narrowing the gap to two points with a 14-foot pull-up jumper from Scoot Henderson — but that was as close as the Blazers would come.
The Spurs improved to 11-0 at home in the playoffs against the Trail Blazers, marking the best home record by any team in the NBA against any franchise.
“One down, one down,” Keldon Johnson shouted from a jubilant home locker room.
Wembanyama finished the game with a 14-point fourth quarter as Spurs legends such as Duncan and David Robinson observed. When the scoreboard displayed a shot of Duncan and Robinson seated together in the second half, the sellout crowd of 19,372 erupted in applause, the loudest moment of the night outside of game action.
Wembanyama took note of the crowd’s reaction.
“I heard the crowd when they appeared on the screen,” he said. “Seeing those two courtside and the recognition they received from the fans was incredible. It’s so cool.”
ESPN Research contributed to this report.
