
Haaland: If I go down like everyone else, Gabriel gets a red card
Haaland says Gabriel should have been sent off for headbutt in City's win over Arsenal.
Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff debut, leading the Spurs to a 111-98 victory over the Trail Blazers. He set a franchise record for points in a playoff debut, surpassing Tim Duncan's previous record of 32 points.
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SAN ANTONIO (AP) â It has proven almost as difficult to rattle Victor Wembanyama as it is to get a shot off against San Antonio's 7-foot-4 star. Still, if there was ever a time to experience some nerves it was Sunday. Wembanyama was making his playoff debut against Portland for a franchise and city that is longing for postseason success after six seasons of futility. Spurs Hall of Famers Gregg Popovich, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and George Gervin were in attendance amongst a sell-out crowd at the Frost Bank Center adorned in a sea of bright T-shirts in the team's Fiesta colors. Was the pressure of having the hopes of a city and so many Hall of Famers on his shoulders too weighty for the 22-year-old Wembanyama? âI wouldnât say weight. I would say it feels safe,â Wembanyama said. âIt feels like if you trip, thereâs a lot of hands thatâs ready to catch you.â And thatâs how the Spurs feel with Wembanyama patrolling the court. Wembanyama scored 35 points in a 111-98 victory over the Trail Blazers, setting a Spurs franchise record for the most in a playoff debut, surpassing Duncanâs 32 in 1998. Wembanyamaâs 21 first-half points set an NBA record for the most in the opening half of an NBA playoff debut since the leagueâs play-by-play era began in 1997. âI thought he was ready,â San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. âHe probably settled in a little bit later when he made some shots and his talent popped, but I thought he really settled in there at a point when our defense kicked into another gear.â The Spurs played a video prior to the game that included Kendrick Lamarâs âtv off,â with the lyrics âItâs not enoughâ imposed on Wembanyamaâs highlights. It was appropriate for Wembanyama and the Spurs. San Antonio had not participated in the playoffs since 2019, a six-season postseason drought that came immediately after San Antonio won five NBA championships while appearing in a league-tying 22 straight postseasons. Wembanyama made it a successful return, going 5 for 6 on 3-pointers and finishing 13 for 21 from the field. âWe put different guys on him," Portland coach Tiago Splitter said. "He had an amazing game, of course. 35 points, 5 for 6 from 3s. Itâs really hard to take him out of the paint. I think we did a good for the most part taking him out of the paint. Of course he rolled a couple of times with a small on him and thatâs a bucket. But those five 3s really hurt us.â Wembanyama had a series of highlights, which is nothing unusual during his three seasons. The highlights have become so routine that Wembanyama can't recall at times when asked about a particular one. âI donât remember,â Wembanyama said. âWas it a two or a three?â A rundown of how he dribbled behind his back to avoid Avdija at halfcourt, spun around him to run free to the rim for a two-handed dunk midway through the first quarter didn't jog his memory. âYeah. I have to look again,â Wembanyama said. As likely will millions of fans, who had 2.43 billion views of Wembanyama on NBA social media this season, second only to star ' 2.85 billion views. Wembanyama may take a look back just to further take in the atmosphere and excitement of Sunday's victory. âItâs great to see this many people wear their shirts,â Wembanyama said. âI love the animation (on the video boards) when they say, âWear your shirt.â Yeah, you should absolutely wear your shirt if youâre coming to the game. But now at first, I mean, the first time I stepped on the court for warmups, I felt the atmosphere was different. Everybodyâs ready. I mean, the fans were ready. Itâs probably the most excited Iâve seen this year in this arena.â While the crowd left with free T-shirts, the Spurs received more extravagant clothing from , who celebrated his 35th birthday Sunday by handing out gifts. Wembanyama and the entire Spurs' roster came to the game in matching, custom-made black suits, purchased by Olynyk. âThatâs Kelly," Wembanyama said. âHappy birthday, by the way. He took the initiative to make us all wear the same thing. Thatâs good. Itâs a good team thing.â So is Wembanyama. \\_ AP NBA:
Wembanyama set a Spurs franchise record for the most points in a playoff debut with 35 points.
He scored 21 points in the first half, setting an NBA record for the most points in the opening half of a playoff debut since 1997.
The victory marked the Spurs' return to the playoffs after a six-season drought, highlighting their resurgence in the league.
Hall of Famers in attendance included Gregg Popovich, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and George Gervin.

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