Victor Wembanyama Dropped 35 in His Playoff Debut and the Spurs Looked Like a Title Contender
We knew it was coming. We just didn’t know it would look this easy.
Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his NBA playoff debut Sunday night, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 at the Frost Bank Center. He had 21 in the first half alone — setting a new play-by-play era record for most points in the first half of a playoff debut, passing Kyrie Irving and Brandon Jennings who had 20. The building was rocking in Fiesta-themed playoff gear, and Wemby gave them everything they came to see.
He put Deni Avdija on a poster in the first quarter with a highlight-reel dunk. He blocked Jerami Grant and sprinted the other way for a fast-break layup that pushed the Spurs ahead by 21 in the fourth. He did it all in under 30 minutes because the game was basically over by the time the fourth quarter started.
This is what San Antonio has been waiting for since 2019. That’s the last time the Spurs were in the playoffs — and that was the tail end of the Tim Duncan-to-Kawhi-to-LaMarcus era. Now it’s Wemby’s team, and his first taste of the postseason looked like he’s been doing this for a decade.
The Spurs Went on a 32-13 Run and That Was That
Portland actually made it interesting for a few minutes. After trailing comfortably at halftime, the Blazers opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run that cut the lead to a single possession. The crowd got nervous. The Spurs called timeout.
And then San Antonio hit back with a 32-13 run that broke Portland’s spirit. Stephon Castle scored 17 points. De’Aaron Fox added 17 of his own. Devin Vassell chipped in 15. This wasn’t a one-man show — it was a deep, talented roster flexing its muscles against a team that’s happy to be here but doesn’t have the firepower to hang for four quarters.
Wemby didn’t even score in the third quarter. He didn’t need to. His presence alone was enough — the rim protection, the passing lanes he shuts down, the way offenses have to completely change their approach when he’s on the floor. He went to the bench early in the fourth to high-fives from teammates and a standing ovation from the crowd.
Avdija Balled Out in a Losing Effort
Give Deni Avdija credit. Three days after dropping 41 in the play-in to get Portland here, he went for 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in Game 1. Scoot Henderson added 18 points. But the Blazers shot 26.3% from three, and you can’t beat a team like San Antonio when you’re bricking from deep.
The Blazers are going to need better shooting and more from their role players if they want to steal a game in this series. Avdija can’t do it all by himself against a team this deep.
What This Means for the MVP Race
Wemby walked into his first playoff game and looked like the best player on the planet. If the Spurs go on a deep run — and after watching Sunday night, it’s hard to see who stops them in the West outside of OKC — his MVP case goes from strong to undeniable.
The Thunder destroyed the Suns 119-84 in their Game 1, with SGA scoring 25. So the potential Spurs-Thunder Western Conference Finals matchup is very much alive. Wemby vs. SGA. The two best players in the West going at it with a trip to the Finals on the line. We might actually get it.
Game 2 is Wednesday in San Antonio.
