After being crowned unanimous DPOY, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs host Portland in Game 2 of the first round. The opener was dominated by a disciplined, sharp San Antonio side, while the Blazers looked miles off it. Breakdown, player to watch and a Mathodds prediction.
What we learned from Game 2
The Spurs showed in Game 1 that the regular season was no fluke. Against a clumsy Blazers team, San Antonio had no hesitation in piling it on against an Oregon side that kept hanging around despite being clearly the underdog on paper. Victor Wembanyama was the difference, turning in monster numbers: 35 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks in 33 minutes, plus the clutch plays that helped the Spurs win by 11 at home. And it wasnt just him. The scoring was nicely spread around too, with Stephon Castle (17 pts), De’Aaron Fox (17 pts), Devin Vassell (15 pts) and Luke Kornet (10 pts) all chipping in.
LES. HIGHLIGHTS. DU. TOUT. PREMIER. MATCH. DE. PLAYOFFS. DE. VICTOR. WEMBANYAMA. 🍿
35 PTS | 5 REB | 2 BLK | 33 MIN 📊
SAVOUREZ. SOURIEZ, CÉLÉBREZ…C’EST FRANÇAIS 🇫🇷🥳🥳🥳
35 PUNTOS !!!
LA WIN !!!QUELLE CHANCE ON A DE L’AVOIR 👽🫶
🎥 – @BalaPattySZN pic.twitter.com/1b9lN2byWk
— 50 Nuances 🇺🇸🏀 (@50NuancesDeNBA) April 20, 2026
Mitch Johnson’s men proved in Game 1 why they finished with the NBA’s second-best record. They were in control from start to finish, and even when the Blazers nudged closer, Wemby slammed the door shut on any late Rip City surge. That said, the Spurs did turn it over 14 times to Portland’s 11, something to keep an eye on as the series rolls on. Even so, this Texas group looks well drilled and should, as our preview suggested, breeze through this first round against the Blazers.
For Portland, things are a lot messier. The gap between the two teams is already pretty wide, and making life harder for themselves is hardly going to help. Shooting 26 % from 3-point range is not the answer if you want to beat the Spurs. Portland has to be more disciplined with its looks, especially since most of them are open. Trying to attack the paint with Wembanyama lurking is no picnic. In Game 1, Deni Avdija and Scoot Henderson were the only ones who really brought any edge.
If anyone needs to wake up fast, it’s Shaedon Sharpe, our player to watch, who managed only 10 points in the opener (30 FG %, 0 3 pts %). That’s nowhere near enough for a player who was Portland’s second-leading scorer in the regular season. Making the playoffs is a nice story, sure, but the point is to win, not just show up and nod politely. That is the mindset plenty of them will need if this series is going to get any more competitive.
The key matchup in Game 2
If there is one duel to watch in this second game of the first round, it’s Shaedon Sharpe vs Stephon Castle. Two scorers who matter hugely to their teams: one needs to be better at both ends, the other has to keep building on the momentum from Game 1. If Castle cant keep Sharpe quiet, the Spurs could be in for a few nervous moments, especially if Avdija keeps playing the way he did in the opener.
Player to watch for Portland: Scoot Henderson
After a hamstring tear, Scoot missed a total of 51 games this season, but that did not stop him from putting together a superb outing last Sunday: 18 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds on 50 FG % and 60 3 pts %. Thats just a taste of what this kid can really do. He is a key piece in this young Blazers group, bringing pace, aggression and shot creation.
Scoot Henderson 18 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 7/11 FG, 2/4 3FG, 75.8% TS vs Spurs pic.twitter.com/tJunHT6SXd https://t.co/P3gJYdx07h
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) April 20, 2026
After a solid first game, Tiago Splitter will almost certainly look to give him more minutes and ride the hot hand.
Player to watch for the Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
Who else are you watching but Wemby? In truth, there are several standout names in this loaded Spurs roster. Still, all eyes will be on him again in Game 2. After shredding the Oregon defence in the opener, dont be shocked if the coaching staff makes a few adjustments. What those are remains to be seen, but the French star may need to take a half step back at times and let his teammates do more of the heavy lifting.
The tactical tweak to watch
Portland has to find a way to stop the Spurs’ pick-and-roll / pick-and-pop actions, which caused serious damage in Game 1. Whether its the Fox/Wemby, Castle/Wemby or Fox/Kornet combinations, the Blazers’ defence is too soft around the rim and keeps gifting the Texans clean alley-oop looks. Thats the area Portland must clean up most in this first-round series against San Antonio.
Mathodds prediction
San Antonio Spurs win (2-0)
The 3 keys:
- The Spurs have to cut out the turnovers and those regular scoring droughts, like the one after half-time
- Portland needs answers for the Spurs’ guard-big combinations
- Victor Wembanyama must be ready for a tougher defensive look
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