Deni Avdija Notches Double-Double in Playoff Debut as Spurs Overpower Trail Blazers in Series Opener

Deni Avdija nets a double-double in his first NBA playoff game, but Victor Wembanyama's record 35 points lead the San Antonio Spurs to a Game 1 win.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 3:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Historic Postseason Debut for Israeli Star in San Antonio

Deni Avdija made history as the first Israeli player to lead a team into an NBA playoff series as a primary offensive focal point, delivering a 30-point performance on April 19, 2026. The Portland Trail Blazers forward showcased the versatility that defined his breakout season, adding 10 rebounds and five assists while shooting 12 for 21 from the field. Despite his individual success at the Frost Bank Center, the seventh-seeded Trail Blazers struggled to maintain their early momentum against a disciplined San Antonio defense that prioritized neutralizing Portland’s perimeter threats.

Wembanyama Sets Records in Dominant Opening Statement

The narrative of the game was defined by a record-breaking performance from San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 35 points, five 3-pointers, and two blocks. Wembanyama’s 21 points in the first half established a new NBA record for the most points in the opening half of a playoff debut in the play-by-play era. By eclipsing Tim Duncan’s 1998 debut mark of 32 points, the French phenom anchored a Spurs squad that leveraged its size advantage to out-rebound Portland 45-38 and maintain control of the interior throughout the contest.

Portland Rallies Briefly Following Halftime Deficit

The Trail Blazers faced a 59-49 deficit at the intermission but mounted an aggressive response to start the third quarter. Led by Avdija’s playmaking and eight unanswered points, Portland trimmed the lead to just two points, briefly silencing the San Antonio crowd. However, the Spurs responded with a tactical adjustment that forced Portland into difficult long-range attempts. The Blazers finished the game shooting just 10-for-38 from beyond the arc, a statistical deficiency that coach Tiago Splitter cited as a primary factor in the team's inability to complete the comeback.