SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his postseason debut on Sunday as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-98, in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series at the Frost Bank Center.
The Spurs took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 2 scheduled on Tuesday in San Antonio before the series shifts to Portland for Games 3 and 4.
The Spurs, the second seed in the Western Conference, led 59-49 at halftime and extended their advantage to 87-72 entering the fourth quarter. San Antonio opened the final period with a 6-0 run to build a 93-72 lead.
Portland cut the deficit to 11 points late in the game after a 13-3 run, but San Antonio maintained control to secure the win.
Wembanyama set a franchise record for points in a playoff debut, surpassing the previous mark held by Tim Duncan. He scored 21 points in the first half, setting an NBA record for most first-half points in a playoff debut since the league began tracking play-by-play data in 1997.
Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox each scored 17 points for San Antonio. Devin Vassell added 15 points, and Luke Kornet scored 10.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Scoot Henderson scored 18 points, Robert Williams III added 11, Shaedon Sharpe scored 10, and Jrue Holiday had nine points and 11 assists.
San Antonio opened the game with a 30-21 lead after the first quarter. The Spurs extended their lead to 50-34 in the second quarter before Portland reduced the margin to seven points. San Antonio led 59-49 at halftime.
Portland opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run but did not take the lead. San Antonio later extended its advantage to 17 points before entering the fourth quarter with a 15-point lead.