Wembanyama scores 35 points in
playoff debut as Spurs roll past Trail Blazers 111-98
[April 20, 2026]
By RAUL DOMINGUEZ
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff
debut and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a 111-98 victory over the
Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their first-round Western
Conference series Sunday night.
Wembanyama's 21 first-half points set an NBA record for the most in
the opening half of an NBA playoff debut since the league's
play-by-play era began in 1997. His 35 total points set a Spurs
franchise record for the most in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim
Duncan’s 32 in 1998.
“It is obviously different, but we’ve been really good in the
regular season,” Wembanyama said. “So, we have no reason to act
differently or do anything different.”
Game 2 is Tuesday night in San Antonio before the series heads to
Portland for Games 3 and 4.
Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox each added 17 points and combined
for 15 assists for San Antonio.
Deni Avdija had 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead Portland, which
beat Phoenix 114-110 in Tuesday’s play-in game to earn the No. 7
seed.
Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft behind Wembanyama
and Charlotte’s Brandon Miller, added 18 points.
The Spurs responded to the Trail Blazers' physicality while holding
them to 10-for-38 shooting on 3-pointers and had a 45-38 rebounding
advantage.
“The Spurs put you in tough positions,” Portland coach Tiago
Splitter said. “Against them, you've got to shoot the ball well from
3s. We didn't. We've got to shoot the ball better.”
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San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) scores over Portland Trail
Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) during the first half in Game 1 of
a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday,
April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Spurs and the sell-out crowd — which included
Duncan and former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer David Robinson
sitting together courtside — at the Frost Bank Center were primed
for the franchise’s first playoff game since 2019. The six-season
postseason drought came immediately after San Antonio won five NBA
championships while appearing in a league-tying 22 straight
postseasons.
Spurs fans are again dreaming big — and it’s
because of their 7-foot-4 post player from France who is a finalist
for the NBA's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Wembanyama’s highlights included dribbling behind his back to avoid
Avdija at halfcourt, backing him down to the top of the key,
spinning around him and running free to the rim for a two-handed
dunk midway through the first quarter.
San Antonio clamped down defensively to regain their double-digit
lead in the third quarter, with Devin Vassell blocking Donovan
Clingan and Jrue Holiday while scoring eight straight points.
“That’s what we’ve talked about, just not giving up on the play,”
Vassell said. “Every possession matters, whether it’s the first
possession in the first quarter or the last possession in the fourth
quarter. Play to the whistle.”
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