Victor Wembanyama delivers 35-point playoff debut as Spurs stun Trail Blazers in Game 1
— SAN ANTONIO
Victor Wembanyama announced his arrival on the NBA playoff stage with a historic performance, scoring 35 points while adding 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocks to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 122-119 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their first-round series.
The 22-year-old French phenom became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a playoff game, surpassing a mark previously held by Tim Duncan. His performance also marked the highest point total by a rookie in their playoff debut since LeBron James scored 32 in 2006.
“He was special tonight,” said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich after the game. “The way he impacted both ends — scoring in the post, stepping out to shoot, protecting the rim — it’s rare to see that kind of completeness, especially in your first playoff game.”
Wembanyama’s offensive versatility was on full display. He scored 18 points in the paint, went 5-for-8 from three-point range and was 13-for-16 at the free-throw line. His ability to stretch the floor forced Portland’s big men out of position, creating driving lanes for San Antonio’s guards.
The Trail Blazers, led by Anfernee Simons’ 28 points and Deandre Ayton’s 22 points and 14 rebounds, fought back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Simons hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:12 remaining to set Portland up 119-118, but Wembanyama answered with a contested mid-range jumper on the next possession to put San Antonio ahead for good.
With 10.6 seconds left, Wembanyama sealed the win with two free throws after being fouled on a putback attempt. He finished with a +14 plus-minus rating, the highest on either team.
The victory gives the Spurs a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup. San Antonio earned the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record, while Portland clinched the ninth spot at 41-41 before winning the play-in tournament to advance.
“We knew coming in that we’d have to create shots and defend,” Wembanyama said. “But to do it in my first playoff game, in front of our fans — it means a lot. What we have is just the beginning.”
The Atmosphere at the Alamodome was electric, with a crowd of 18,354 creating a postseason intensity rarely seen in San Antonio during the regular season. The Spurs had not hosted a playoff game since 2019 and the energy appeared to lift the young roster in critical moments.
Portland will gaze to adjust in Game 2, particularly in how they defend Wembanyama in pick-and-roll situations. The Trail Blazers switched frequently onto him early, but San Antonio exploited those mismatches with quick passes to open shooters or by attacking smaller defenders in the post.
“We have to be smarter about when to switch and when to stay,” said Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. “He’s too skilled to let him operate one-on-one in the post or step out and shoot over us. We’ll mix our looks more in Game 2.”
Wembanyama’s performance continues a meteoric rise for the 7-foot-4 prospect, who was selected first overall by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft after two seasons with Metropolitans 92 in France. In his rookie season, he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game — becoming the first player in NBA history to lead all rookies in points, rebounds and blocks in the same season.
His playoff debut adds another layer to what has already been a historic first year. No player in NBA history has ever recorded at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 blocks in their rookie season — a milestone Wembanyama is on pace to reach with 12 games remaining in the regular season.
The Spurs will look to build on their home-court advantage when the series shifts to Portland for Games 3 and 4. Game 2 is scheduled for at the Moda Center.
As the young star continues to adapt to the heightened intensity of postseason basketball, one thing is clear: the NBA playoffs have found their next generational talent.
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