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Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff debut Sunday night. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98. This was Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Wembanyama’s 21 first-half points set an NBA record. It is the most in a playoff debut half since 1997. His 35 total points are a Spurs franchise record for a debut.
He surpassed Tim Duncan’s 32 points from 1998. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each added 17 points for San Antonio. They also combined for 15 assists.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Scoot Henderson added 18 points for the Trail Blazers. Portland earned the No. 7 seed by beating Phoenix Tuesday.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in San Antonio. The series then heads to Portland for Games 3 and 4. This was the Spurs’ first playoff game since 2019.
The sell-out crowd at Frost Bank Center included Tim Duncan. Fellow Hall of Famer David Robinson also sat courtside. San Antonio had a six-season postseason drought.
That drought followed five NBA championships. The team also had 22 straight postseason appearances. Spurs fans are dreaming big because of Wembanyama.
The 7-foot-4 player from France is an MVP finalist. He is also a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Wembanyama had a spectacular first-quarter dunk.
He dribbled behind his back to avoid Deni Avdija at halfcourt. Wembanyama then backed him down and spun around him. He finished with a two-handed dunk.
Castle and Wembanyama combined for 19 first-quarter points. They ignited the Spurs’ scoring as they have all season. San Antonio led 30-21 after the first.
Portland opened the second half on an 8-0 run. Scoot Henderson made a three-pointer and a layup. This cut a 16-point deficit to just 59-57.
San Antonio clamped down defensively to regain a double-digit lead. Luke Kornet and Devin Vassell each blocked Donovan Clingan. This happened on the same third-quarter possession.
