Wembanyama scores 35, most by Spur in playoff debut, in Game 1 win

San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama Checked out with 52.8 seconds left in the game, and pumped his right fist in approval of the celebration-clad crowd at Frost Bank Center. San Antonio Spurs‘First playoff win in seven years.

Vembanyama took the lead on Sunday by scoring a game-high 35 points. win 111-98 Above portland trail blazers In Game 1 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Frenchman produced the highest scoring output in franchise history for the Spur in his post-season debut, surpassing the previous mark of 32 points set by Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.

“I thought he was ready,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “We all have an approach in terms of the preparation, the details, the nuances, the competitiveness, the physicality, the high level of expectation for everything. There’s a real desire for that young man to participate. It was his first playoff game, and he has high expectations and goals for himself.”

Vembanyama made this clear with an impressive performance against an opponent that deployed a variety of tactics and personnel groups dedicated to stopping him. Over the course of 33 minutes, Wembanyama faced eight different defenders, and the 22-year-old big man put up buckets on each of them.

At the other end of the field, Wembanyama kept Portland scoreless in 11 attempts when he was the competitive keeper.

“He probably calmed down a little bit after he made some shots and his talent came out,” Johnson said. “But he really settled in at that point when our defense kicked it into second gear. [Portland] Did a good job with lots of action and trying to create some confusion. [Wembanyama] “The second line did a good job of quarterbacking and organizing guys.”

Wembanyama became the first player in NBA history to score 35 points or more while connecting on at least five 3-pointers in his postseason debut. Vembanyama shot 13 of 21 from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range, in addition to five rebounds and two blocks.

“When I first stepped on the court, even for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different,” Wembanyama said. “Everyone was ready. The fans were ready. It’s probably the most excitement I’ve seen in this area this year. In terms of the tactics, the game aspect of it, it was different because we had more time to prepare.”

Wembanyama caps Trail Blazers forward’s strong start to postseason deni avdijaJoe finished with a team-high 30 points and became the first player in franchise history to score 30 with 10 rebounds and five assists in a playoff game.

“Vic is Vic, and his game was tremendous,” continues devin wassell Said.

Vembanyama dropped 4 out of 6 saves Donovan Klingon and matched 2 out of 5 Robert Williams III. Wembanyama was 2 of 4 for six points with one turnover on six plays, with Portland double-teaming him.

They expect more focus and physicality from the Blazers in Game 2 on Tuesday.

“Of course,” said Vembanyama. “That’s their identity. It’s something to be expected, and it should also be expected that they will double down on it in the next games. But we are ready.”

Wembanyama opened Sunday’s contest by making four of her first six shots and finished with 21 points after making 8 of 13 from the floor and 3 of 4 from deep in the first half as San Antonio led 59-49 at intermission.

Portland started the second half with an 8-0 run and scored two points. scooter henderson 14-foot pull-up jumper – but that’s as close as the Blazers will get.

In the playoffs against Portland, the Spurs improved to 11–0 at home, the best home record of an NBA team against any franchise.

“One down, one down,” forward keldon johnson A scream came from the locker room of Harshit house.

Wembanyama finished the game with 14 points in the fourth quarter in the presence of Spurs stalwarts like Duncan and David Robinson. When a shot from Duncan and Robinson sitting side by side appeared on the scoreboard in the second half, the sellout crowd of 19,372 let out the loudest roar all night outside of game action.

Vembanyama took notice.

“When the crowd came in front of the camera, I heard their voices,” he said. “To see both of them on the court and the recognition they got from the fans was amazing. It’s great.”

ESPN Research contributed to this report.