SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series at Frost Bank Center. The win was the Spurs' first playoff victory in seven years.

Wembanyama shot 13-of-21 from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point range, adding five rebounds and two blocks over 33 minutes. His 35-point total surpassed Tim Duncan's franchise record of 32 points for a Spur making his postseason debut, and he became the first player in NBA history to score at least 35 points and make at least five 3-pointers in a playoff debut.

"The first time I stepped on the court, even for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different. It's probably the most excitement I've seen this year in this arena." Wembanyama said of the sellout crowd of 19,372.

Wembanyama scored 21 points in the first half on 8-of-13 shooting and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, and the Spurs led 59-49 at halftime. Portland opened the second half with an 8-0 run, cutting the lead to two points on a Scoot Henderson 14-foot pull-up jumper. Wembanyama then scored 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Portland used eight different defenders against Wembanyama during the game. He shot 4-of-6 from the field against Donovan Clingan and 2-of-5 against Robert Williams III. On six plays when Portland double-teamed him, he was 2-of-4 for seven points with one turnover. As the contesting defender, Wembanyama held the Trail Blazers scoreless on 11 shot attempts.

"I thought he was ready. There's an approach that we all have in terms of expectation of a heightened level of preparation, detail, nuance, competitiveness, physicality, everything." San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said after the game.

Spurs forward Devin Vassell also addressed Wembanyama's performance. "Vic is Vic, and he had a tremendous game." Vassell said.

Duncan and David Robinson were seated courtside during the second half. The Spurs improved to 11-0 at home in the playoffs against Portland, the best home playoff record by any team against any franchise.