Victor Wembanyama broke Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs record in his playoff debut and the Spurs took Game 1. Now comes the harder part, Portland will adjust and San Antonio's slow starts cannot follow them into Tuesday.
San Antonio got its playoff win Sunday night, their first since 2019. Before a single ball was tipped, the Frost Bank Center was already one of the best scenes in the NBA. The Spurs went all-in on their iconic Fiesta design, painting the court in the classic turquoise, pink, and orange colors while separating the crowd into sections by matching shirt color.
The result was one of the most visually striking atmospheres in recent playoff memory, with fans and media buzzing about the scene before tipoff even arrived.
READ MORE: Victor Wembanyama Makes History in Spurs Game 1 Win
Victor Wembanyama delivered 35 points in his postseason debut, breaking Tim Duncan's franchise record of 32 set in 1998, and the Spurs walked away with a 111-98 Game 1 win over Portland. The series is theirs to lose now. But Game 2 on Tuesday will tell us a lot more about where this team actually stands.
"The first time I stepped on the court, even for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different," Wembanyama said. "Everybody was ready. The fans were ready. It's probably the most excitement I've seen this year in this arena.
"In terms of tactics, the sport aspect of it, it was different because we had more time to prepare."
Portland threw everything it had at him, and nothing worked. That should give San Antonio enormous confidence heading into Game 2, but it also raises the stakes. Teams adjust. Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter will have film now. The Blazers will not let Wembanyama beat them the same way twice.
Dylan Harper was another player who was ready for the bigger stage. The rookie sixth man finished with 14 points and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench and gave San Antonio a secondary punch that Portland had no answer for.
If Harper can bring that same energy in Game 2, the Spurs become very difficult to gameplan against. Stephon Castle added 17 points and seven assists and looked comfortable running an NBA playoff offense for the first time. The youth of this team showed up in the best possible way.
The concern heading into Tuesday is the slow start. San Antonio trailed early in the first quarter and looked unsettled before finding their rhythm. Portland's bench outscored the Spurs' reserves for stretches in the first half.
Deni Avdija finished with 26 points and was consistently a problem, and Scoot Henderson's burst in the third quarter nearly erased a double-digit deficit on his own. If the Spurs come out flat again in Game 2, Portland is good enough to make them pay.
The Blazers stayed connected all night. They did not fold when the lead grew to 15. They kept competing and cut it back down before San Antonio pulled away for good. The Spurs lead 1-0, and Game 2 is theirs to control. Tuesday will show whether this team can handle the adjustments that come with being the hunted. ... including Portland trying to be more physical.
"Of course," Wembanyama said. "It's their identity. It's something to be expected, and it's also to be expected that they'll double up on that in the next games. But we're ready."