Victor Wembanyama believes the atmosphere at Frost Bank Center was the most exciting it has been all season as the San Antonio Spurs made a winning start to the 2025-26 NBA play-offs.

The Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 on Sunday, with Wembanyama scoring a game-high 35 in his play-off debut, while also contributing with five rebounds and two blocks.

The center produced the highest-scoring play-off debut game in San Antonio's franchise history, surpassing Tim Duncan's 32-point performance against the Phoenix Suns in 1998.

Wembanyama also became the first player in NBA history to score 35 points or more in his play-off debut while making at least five 3-pointers; the Frenchman made five of his six attempts from beyond the arc.

The Spurs finished as the second seed in the Western Conference, and Wembanyama insisted they were ready for the postseason.

"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."

Most points in NBA Playoff debut for the Spurs:

1. Victor Wembanyama - 35 (2026)
2. Tim Duncan - 32 (1998 at PHX) pic.twitter.com/n0inuDcXyd

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 20, 2026

De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle both scored 17 in the win over Portland, while Devin Vassell contributed with 15.

San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson, however, was full of praise for Wembanyama, who lived up to his high expectations.

"I thought he [Wembanyama] was ready," Johnson said.

"There's an approach that we all have in terms of expectation of a heightened level of preparation, detail, nuance, competitiveness, physicality, everything.

"There's a real desire for that young man to participate in that. This was his first playoff game, and he has lofty expectations and goals for himself.

"He probably settled in a little bit later when he made some shots and his talent popped. But he really settled in there at a point when our defense kicked it into another gear.

"[Portland] did a good job of trying to create multiple actions and some confusion. [Wembanyama] did a good job of quarterbacking from the second line, getting guys organised."