Wembanyama Shines as Spurs Claim Playoff Victory; Thunder and Celtics Dominate
Victor Wembanyama made a spectacular entrance into the NBA playoffs, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. In his playoff debut, Wembanyama scored a game-high 35 points, including an impressive 21 points in the first half. After the game, the French sensation expressed relief, stating, "It's good to get this one out of the way. We just tried to do the things we've been doing all year and stay solid." The Spurs' win marks the first game of the best-of-seven series, and Wembanyama emphasized the importance of sticking to their game plan despite the pressure. In other playoff action, the defending champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Boston Celtics both showcased their dominance. The Thunder, the top seeds in the Western Conference, crushed the Phoenix Suns 119-84, with last year's Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Meanwhile, the second-seeded Celtics triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 123-91. Jayson Tatum contributed 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while teammate Jaylen Brown added 26 points. In a surprising twist, the Orlando Magic, the eighth seed, stunned the Eastern Conference's top seeds, the Detroit Pistons, winning 112-101. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, overshadowing Cade Cunningham's playoff-best 39 points. Cunningham reflected on the game, saying, "[We] didn't come out with the right energy, gave them life early on. There's no confidence drop from us. It's going to be a long, fun series."
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-20