Victor Wembanyama made NBA history in his postseason debut, scoring 35 points with five three-pointers to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
The performance broke multiple records: the most points ever scored by a Spur in a playoff debut, the highest first-half output by any player in their playoff debut (21 points), and made Wembanyama the only player in NBA history to record at least 35 points and five three-pointers in a postseason debut. He similarly became the third player ever to achieve at least 30 points and five three-pointers in a playoff debut, joining Kyrie Irving (2015) and Jordan Poole (2022), according to ESPN Research.
Wembanyama’s impact extended beyond scoring. Before halftime, he had scored or assisted on 24 points while holding Portland’s shooters scoreless (0-for-6) when he was the primary defender, helping San Antonio build a 10-point lead that it never relinquished. His all-around line — 35 points, five rebounds, one assist, two blocks — underscored a rare two-way impact for a rookie in the playoffs.
Deni Avdija kept the Trail Blazers competitive with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block, shooting 12-for-21 from the field. Yet, Portland struggled from beyond the arc, making just 10 of 38 three-point attempts (26.3%), while the Spurs connected on 15 of 33 (45.5%). The disparity in three-point shooting proved decisive in a game where San Antonio led by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter.
The Spurs’ victory marked their first home playoff win since 2019, ending a drought that had loomed over the franchise. For Portland, the loss exposed vulnerabilities in their supporting cast: beyond Avdija, only Scoot Douglas (18 points) reached double figures, and the team managed just two other scorers in double figures through the first three quarters of potential future games.
Elsewhere in the opening round, the Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Phoenix Suns 119-84, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander setting postseason career highs in free throws made (15) and attempted (17) despite shooting just 5-for-18 from the field. The Boston Celtics opened their series with a 32-point victory over the Philadelphia 76ers — the largest margin of victory in a playoff opener in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic shocked the Detroit Pistons, handing them their 11th consecutive home playoff loss, extending an NBA record. Detroit’s last home playoff win came against the Celtics in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Spurs’ Game 1 performance was notable not just for the result but the presentation: the team arrived at the Frost Bank Center in all-black suits, departing from their usual casual attire to adopt a more formal, business-like approach — a detail highlighted by ESPN as symbolic of their focused mindset.
Looking ahead, Portland faces an uphill battle in Game 2. To challenge San Antonio, the Trail Blazers will need more consistent scoring from players beyond Avdija, particularly as the Spurs demonstrated balance with five players scoring at least 10 points. Portland’s three-point shooting must improve dramatically if they hope to stay competitive in a series where San Antonio’s defensive versatility and offensive efficiency were already evident.
What made Victor Wembanyama’s playoff debut historic?
Wembanyama became the only player in NBA history to score at least 35 points with five or more three-pointers in a playoff debut, while also setting the Spurs’ franchise record for most points in a playoff debut and recording the highest first-half scoring output (21 points) by any player in their playoff debut.
How did the Spurs’ team performance support Wembanyama’s historic night?
San Antonio shot 45.5% from three-point range, had five players score at least 10 points, and built a lead as large as 21 points in the fourth quarter, with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each contributing 17 points to complement Wembanyama’s 35.