Spurs Return to Playoffs, Wembanyama Scores 35 Points to Set Team Record
Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his NBA playoff debut, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. This historic performance set a new team record for a playoff debut and marked the highest first-half scoring in an NBA playoff debut since 1997.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 14:55
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, San Antonio, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his individual NBA playoff debut, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, winning Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.
According to the Associated Press, Wembanyama scored 21 points in the first half alone, setting the record for the highest first-half scoring in an NBA playoff debut since the league began using play-by-play data in 1997. His 35-point performance also broke the Spurs' team record for a playoff debut, surpassing the 32 points set by legendary player Tim Duncan in 1998.
This season marks the Spurs' first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season. Duncan, along with former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer David Robinson, were present today to cheer on the team.
The Spurs once achieved a glorious record of reaching the playoffs for 22 consecutive years, tying the league record, and winning 5 championships, until their streak was broken in 2019, followed by a 6-season playoff drought.
Now, Spurs fans' dreams of winning a championship are rekindled, with much hope placed on the 223-centimeter-tall Wembanyama from France. Wembanyama has been nominated for this season's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Wembanyama's performance today was full of highlights, including a behind-the-back dribble move past Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija during a half-court dribble in the middle of the first quarter, driving all the way to the free-throw line for a spin move, and then a two-handed dunk in the paint.
Wembanyama and Stephon Castle continued their hot streak this season, starting the game with full firepower. In the first quarter, the Spurs scored 30 points, with the two combining for 19 of them, establishing an early lead for the team.
In the second half, Henderson of the Trail Blazers started with consecutive three-pointers and a fast-break layup, leading his team on an 8-0 run that narrowed the 16-point halftime deficit to just 2 points.
However, the Spurs then intensified their defense, regaining a double-digit lead; Luke Kornet and Devin Vassell successively blocked Donovan Clingan of the Trail Blazers in the same offensive possession in the third quarter.
Vassell then hit two consecutive three-pointers, establishing a 72-61 lead for the Spurs with 5 minutes left in the third quarter, ultimately securing the victory.
For the Spurs, Castle and De'Aaron Fox each scored 17 points, and together they contributed 15 assists on the court. For the Trail Blazers, Avdija scored 30 points and 10 rebounds, being the team's main scoring source.
Game 2 of the series will be held in San Antonio on the evening of the 21st US time, after which the series will move to Portland for Games 3 and 4. (Editor: Tsai Chia-min) 1150420
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(Central News Agency, San Antonio, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his individual NBA playoff debut, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, winning Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.
According to the Associated Press, Wembanyama scored 21 points in the first half alone, setting the record for the highest first-half scoring in an NBA playoff debut since the league began using play-by-play data in 1997. His 35-point performance also broke the Spurs' team record for a playoff debut, surpassing the 32 points set by legendary player Tim Duncan in 1998.
This season marks the Spurs' first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season. Duncan, along with former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer David Robinson, were present today to cheer on the team.
The Spurs once achieved a glorious record of reaching the playoffs for 22 consecutive years, tying the league record, and winning 5 championships, until their streak was broken in 2019, followed by a 6-season playoff drought.
Now, Spurs fans' dreams of winning a championship are rekindled, with much hope placed on the 223-centimeter-tall Wembanyama from France. Wembanyama has been nominated for this season's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Wembanyama's performance today was full of highlights, including a behind-the-back dribble move past Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija during a half-court dribble in the middle of the first quarter, driving all the way to the free-throw line for a spin move, and then a two-handed dunk in the paint.
Wembanyama and Stephon Castle continued their hot streak this season, starting the game with full firepower. In the first quarter, the Spurs scored 30 points, with the two combining for 19 of them, establishing an early lead for the team.
In the second half, Henderson of the Trail Blazers started with consecutive three-pointers and a fast-break layup, leading his team on an 8-0 run that narrowed the 16-point halftime deficit to just 2 points.
However, the Spurs then intensified their defense, regaining a double-digit lead; Luke Kornet and Devin Vassell successively blocked Donovan Clingan of the Trail Blazers in the same offensive possession in the third quarter.
Vassell then hit two consecutive three-pointers, establishing a 72-61 lead for the Spurs with 5 minutes left in the third quarter, ultimately securing the victory.
For the Spurs, Castle and De'Aaron Fox each scored 17 points, and together they contributed 15 assists on the court. For the Trail Blazers, Avdija scored 30 points and 10 rebounds, being the team's main scoring source.
Game 2 of the series will be held in San Antonio on the evening of the 21st US time, after which the series will move to Portland for Games 3 and 4. (Editor: Tsai Chia-min) 1150420
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.