Victor Wembanyama scores 35 points in playoff debut as Spurs roll past Trail Blazers 111-98 Victor Wembanyama made an electrifying NBA playoff debut, scoring 35 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. His performance marked the most points ever scored by a Spurs player in their postseason debut, surpassing Tim Duncan’s previous record. Wembanyama’s dominance began immediately, as he tallied 21 points in the first half alone—a new NBA record for most points scored in the opening half of a playoff debut. He shot 8-of-13 from the field in the first 24 minutes and showcased his all-around impact with a highlight-reel dunk over Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija in the first quarter. Despite a strong second-half surge by Portland, which included an 8-0 run to cut the Spurs’ lead to one possession, San Antonio responded with a 13-4 burst to regain control. Wembanyama contributed to the Spurs’ fourth-quarter surge by blocking a shot from Jerami Grant without leaving his feet, setting up a fast-break layup that extended the lead to 21 points. The Spurs built a 10-point advantage in the first quarter, which the Blazers trimmed to five before Keldon Johnson hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to make it 30-22 San Antonio after 12 minutes. Portland’s offense relied heavily on Avdija, who led all scorers with 30 points, while Scoot Henderson added 18. No other Blazers player reached double figures in scoring. San Antonio’s balanced attack and superior shooting from deep proved decisive. Wembanyama went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, signaling early trouble for Portland’s defense. The Spurs’ ability to uncover open shooters when penetrating the lane consistently created high-percentage looks, while the Blazers struggled to convert similar opportunities. The victory marked San Antonio’s first playoff win since 2019 and was fueled by a passionate home crowd at the Frost Bank Center, many wearing Fiesta-themed playoff shirts. Wembanyama’s historic debut not only announced his arrival on the postseason stage but similarly signaled a promising start to the Spurs’ title aspirations.
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