SAN ANTONIO (AP) 鈥� It has proven almost as difficult to rattle Victor Wembanyama as it is to get a shot off against San Antonio’s 7-foot-4 star. Still, if there was ever a time to experience some nerves it was Sunday.
Wembanyama was making his playoff debut against Portland for a franchise and city that is longing for postseason success after six seasons of futility.
Spurs Hall of Famers Gregg Popovich, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and George Gervin were in attendance amongst a sell-out crowd at the Frost Bank Center adorned in a sea of bright T-shirts in the team’s Fiesta colors.
Was the pressure of having the hopes of a city and so many Hall of Famers on his shoulders too weighty for the 22-year-old Wembanyama?
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say weight. I would say it feels safe,鈥� Wembanyama said. 鈥淚t feels like if you trip, there鈥檚 a lot of hands that鈥檚 ready to catch you.鈥�
And that鈥檚 how the Spurs feel with Wembanyama patrolling the court.
Wembanyama scored 35 points in a 111-98 victory over the Trail Blazers, setting a Spurs franchise record for the most in a playoff debut, surpassing Duncan鈥檚 32 in 1998. Wembanyama鈥檚 21 first-half points set an NBA record for the most in the opening half of an NBA playoff debut since the league鈥檚 play-by-play era began in 1997.
鈥淚 thought he was ready,鈥� San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. 鈥淗e probably settled in a little bit later when he made some shots and his talent popped, but I thought he really settled in there at a point when our defense kicked into another gear.鈥�
The Spurs played a video prior to the game that included Kendrick Lamar鈥檚 鈥渢v off,鈥� with the lyrics 鈥淚t鈥檚 not enough鈥� imposed on Wembanyama鈥檚 highlights. It was appropriate for Wembanyama and the Spurs.
San Antonio had not participated in the playoffs since 2019, a six-season postseason drought that came immediately after San Antonio won five NBA championships while appearing in a league-tying 22 straight postseasons.
Wembanyama made it a successful return, going 5 for 6 on 3-pointers and finishing 13 for 21 from the field.
鈥淲e put different guys on him,” Portland coach Tiago Splitter said. “He had an amazing game, of course. 35 points, 5 for 6 from 3s. It鈥檚 really hard to take him out of the paint. I think we did a good for the most part taking him out of the paint. Of course he rolled a couple of times with a small on him and that鈥檚 a bucket. But those five 3s really hurt us.鈥�
Wembanyama had a series of highlights, which is nothing unusual during his three seasons. The highlights have become so routine that Wembanyama can’t recall at times when asked about a particular one.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember,鈥� Wembanyama said. 鈥淲as it a two or a three?鈥�
A rundown of how he dribbled behind his back to avoid Avdija at halfcourt, spun around him to run free to the rim for a two-handed dunk midway through the first quarter didn’t jog his memory.
鈥淵eah. I have to look again,鈥� Wembanyama said.
As likely will millions of fans, who had 2.43 billion views of Wembanyama on NBA social media this season, second only to Lakers star LeBron James’ 2.85 billion views.
Wembanyama may take a look back just to further take in the atmosphere and excitement of Sunday’s victory.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see this many people wear their shirts,鈥� Wembanyama said. 鈥淚 love the animation (on the video boards) when they say, 鈥榃ear your shirt.鈥� Yeah, you should absolutely wear your shirt if you鈥檙e coming to the game. But now at first, I mean, the first time I stepped on the court for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different. Everybody鈥檚 ready. I mean, the fans were ready. It鈥檚 probably the most excited I鈥檝e seen this year in this arena.鈥�
While the crowd left with free T-shirts, the Spurs received more extravagant clothing from Kelly Olynyk, who celebrated his 35th birthday Sunday by handing out gifts.
Wembanyama and the entire Spurs’ roster came to the game in matching, custom-made black suits, purchased by Olynyk.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 Kelly,” Wembanyama said. 鈥淗appy birthday, by the way. He took the initiative to make us all wear the same thing. That鈥檚 good. It鈥檚 a good team thing.鈥�
So is Wembanyama.
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