The San Antonio Spurs got their playoff campaign off to a perfect start with a dominant 111-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at home. The game was highlighted by a phenomenal performance from Victor Wembanyama, who scored 35 points.

In his first-ever NBA playoff appearance, the French phenom delivered. With 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, he played a major role in the Spurs' victory, dominating on both ends of the court. At just 22 years old, he has reached a new milestone in a career already on the rise.

After a promising rookie season, which ended with the title of best rookie despite a limited team record, and then a second season marked by a selection to the All-Star Game but cut short by a venous thrombosis, "Wemby" confirmed in his third season his entry among the elite of the American league.

The Spurs' rise mirrors that of their young leader. In just one year, the Texas franchise has climbed from 13th to 2nd place in the Western Conference with 62 wins. This momentum now positions the team as a credible title contender.

A finalist for the MVP trophy alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, Wembanyama (2.24m) embodies the renewed ambitions of the Spurs, back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Against Portland, the French player of Congolese descent quickly set the tone. Extremely aggressive on offense, he already had 21 points by halftime, an unprecedented performance for a player in his first playoff game in nearly three decades. His performance did not go unnoticed, as evidenced by Caitlin Clark, who praised his talent on social media.

A dazzling debut that confirms Victor Wembanyama is already ready for the heights of the NBA.