Wembanyama scores 35 in playoff debut as Spurs rout Trail Blazers

Rookie phenom sets franchise record in San Antonio's 111-98 win

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the dynamic action on the court.Rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama's historic playoff debut leads the Spurs to a decisive Game 1 victory over the Trail Blazers.San Antonio Today

Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his NBA playoff debut, setting a Spurs franchise record, as San Antonio rolled past the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference series. Wembanyama's 21 points in the first half were the most in an NBA playoff debut since 1997. Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox added 17 points each for the Spurs, who held Portland to 10-for-38 shooting from 3-point range.

Why it matters

The Spurs are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019, led by the highly touted rookie Wembanyama, who is a finalist for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. His dominant performance in his postseason debut has San Antonio fans dreaming big about the team's championship potential.

The details

Wembanyama set the tone early, dribbling behind his back to avoid a defender at halfcourt, backing down the Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija, spinning around him, and finishing with a two-handed dunk. The Spurs clamped down defensively in the third quarter, with Devin Vassell making several key plays to help San Antonio regain its double-digit lead.

  • The Spurs' playoff game was on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in San Antonio.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The 7-foot-4 rookie forward for the San Antonio Spurs, who is a finalist for the NBA's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Stephon Castle

The Spurs guard who scored 17 points and had 15 assists in the Game 1 win.

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs guard who scored 17 points and had 15 assists in the Game 1 win.

Deni Avdija

The Trail Blazers forward who scored 30 points and had 10 rebounds in the Game 1 loss.

Scoot Henderson

The Trail Blazers guard, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 draft, who scored 18 points in the Game 1 loss.

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What they’re saying

“It is obviously different, but we've been really good in the regular season. So, we have no reason to act differently or do anything different.”

— Victor Wembanyama

“The Spurs put you in tough positions. Against them, you've got to shoot the ball well from 3s. We didn't. We've got to shoot the ball better.”

— Tiago Splitter, Portland Trail Blazers coach

“That's what we've talked about, just not giving up on the play. 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.”

— Devin Vassell, Spurs player

What’s next

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in San Antonio before the series heads to Portland for Games 3 and 4.

The takeaway

The Spurs' dominant Game 1 win, led by the historic playoff debut of rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, has San Antonio fans excited about the team's championship potential after a six-year playoff drought. The Spurs' stifling defense and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Trail Blazers, setting the stage for an intriguing first-round series.