'The Alien' Arrives: Wemby Drops 35 In Historic Playoff Debut As Spurs Sink Trail Blazers

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 11:02 IST

Victor Wembanyama dropped 35 points in a record-breaking NBA playoff debut, as he led the Spurs past the Trail Blazers in Game 1.

There are debuts, and then there are statements. Victor Wembanyama delivered the latter.

In his first-ever NBA playoff game, Wemby lived up to the “Alien" billing, powering the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1.

A Playoff Debut for the Ages

Wembanyama stuffed the stat sheet with 35 points, 5 rebounds, an assist and two blocks, marking the highest-scoring playoff debut in Spurs history, surpassing Tim Duncan’s 32-point effort back in 1998.

Duncan, alongside David Robinson, watched courtside as the franchise’s new cornerstone took over, a symbolic passing of the torch if there ever was one.

Fast Start, Record Impact

If there was any doubt about how quickly Wembanyama would adjust, it didn’t last long.

He dropped 21 points in the first half, setting an NBA play-by-play record for the most points scored in the opening half of a playoff debut, breaking the previous mark of 20 held by Kyrie Irving and Brandon Jennings.

By halftime, the Spurs were in control. By the final buzzer, the message was clear.

And another interesting point to note is Wembanyama’s 35-point debut now sits only behind Luka Doncic’s all-time playoff debut record of 42.

Doing It All On Both Ends

Wembanyama’s versatility was on full display.

But his standout moment arrived in the first quarter — Wemby worked Deni Avdija, invading and exploiting every last bit of his space, to set up a wild dunk in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Avdija led Portland with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, with Scoot Henderson adding 18. But the Blazers never truly found an answer.

Hardware In Sight For Wemby

As if the performance wasn’t enough, Wembanyama was also named a finalist for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.

Support came from across the roster too, with Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox adding 17 points each, while Devin Vassell chipped in 15.

Game 2 now looms in San Antonio before the series shifts to Portland.

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