VICTOR WEMBANYAMA made a stunning start to his NBA playoff career, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series.
The young star delivered a game-high 35 points, including 21 in the first half, immediately showcasing why he is considered one of the league’s top talents and a strong candidate for the Most Valuable Player award.
After the match, Wembanyama said the team focused on staying disciplined and following their game plan. He acknowledged the pressure of a playoff opener but emphasized that sticking to their system helped them stay composed and secure the win.
Elsewhere in the NBA playoffs, defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a dominant performance against the Phoenix Suns, winning 119-84. Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 25 points, along with seven assists and four rebounds, setting the tone for another strong postseason run.
In another one-sided contest, the Boston Celtics overpowered the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91. Key performances from Jayson Tatum, who scored 25 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Jaylen Brown, who added 26 points, helped the Celtics take control early in the series.
The opening round also saw a major upset as the Orlando Magic defeated the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 112-101. The win gave the eighth-seeded Magic a 1-0 series lead and extended a long playoff struggle for the Pistons, who have not won a home postseason game in over a decade.
Paolo Banchero played a key role for Orlando with 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. On the opposing side, Cade Cunningham delivered a playoff career-high 39 points but could not prevent the defeat.
