Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio to victory with 35 points on his playoff debut as defending champions Thunder and Celtics also started strongly.
Victor Wembanyama delivered a masterclass on his NBA playoff debut, propelling the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in game one of their best-of-seven series. The French big man, among the trio competing for the season’s MVP award, topped the scoring charts with 35 points, including a dominant 21 points in the opening half.
'It's good to get this one out of the way,' Wembanyama told reporters after the game. 'We just tried to do the things we’ve been doing all year and stay solid. There was pressure on us to win the first game, but it wasn’t that much pressure if we just stayed to the plan.'
The defending Western Conference champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, made a statement in their postseason opener by crushing the Phoenix Suns 119-84. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last year’s Finals MVP, led the charge with 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, showcasing his all-around brilliance.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference’s second seed, the Boston Celtics, began their title defense in emphatic fashion with a 123-91 thrashing of the Philadelphia 76ers. Jayson Tatum contributed 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while Jaylen Brown added 26 points to seal the win.
The Orlando Magic pulled off a major upset by defeating the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Detroit Pistons 112-101 in game one of their seven-game series. The eighth-seeded Magic, who secured their playoff spot via the play-in tournament, handed the Pistons an unwelcome record: Detroit has now gone 11 consecutive postseason games without a home victory since 2008.
Paolo Banchero was instrumental for Orlando, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, which overshadowed Cade Cunningham’s playoff-best 39 points for the Pistons.
'We didn’t come out with the right energy, gave them life early on,' Cunningham admitted. 'Then we had to deal with that for the rest of the game. There’s no confidence drop from us. It’s going to be a long, fun series.'
Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic have been named as the three finalists for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, with their opening playoff performances further intensifying the debate. Wembanyama’s playoff debut proved he belongs among the league’s elite, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominant all-around display reinforced his case. The MVP race now takes center stage as the postseason unfolds, with each contender looking to lead their teams deep into the tournament.