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00:00The NBA Playoffs presented by Google 8th Game 1 of this opening round opening
00:06weekend of the 2026 Playoffs Victor Wembenyama 21 points since player
00:12tracking began in 1990 97 98 that's the first half for a player making his
00:18debut you saw a couple with 20 and Denny Avdia in this game has 19 points in his
00:25playoff debut for his half so two impressive debuts a miss to start for Drew
00:31Holliday the foxes three he chased it down and got blocked inside by Kamara
00:40the other way come the Blazers can they get other scores going 0 for 2 so far and
00:46Reggie we heard the guys back at the studio T-Mac and Mello echoing exactly what
00:51you said about somebody's got to come along from Portland other than obvious
00:55yeah your Tiago squitter and the Blazers your fortune is to only be down by 10 with
01:00Denny doing all the scoring now again who else wants to come around for some timely
01:06shooting you would think it'd be the veteran Drew Holliday you were so good
01:14you know that you know how good you are and the great thing is the great thing is
01:17you looked at me like I was Spike Lee you were mugging at me you were mugging at me
01:23like see I told you Mike down to seven here's Visele
01:28throw it inside nothing cooking Castle had a good first half
01:33from the top denied here's Obdia can they cut it to five can they cut it to four
01:40holiday
01:42Henderson faking now taken and he does get it to a four-point game you don't have to
01:48be great shooting three you just need timely three and to start this third
01:53quarter one by scoop the other by Drew Holliday has the Blazers right back in
02:00this ballgame first six of the quarter for Portland the cell working inside when
02:08Benyama from 17 shot at 16 Blazers on a 9-0 run on the sideline yep and you can't
02:17have bad live ball turnovers there's the driving kick here by Advia and here's
02:23Drew Holliday knocking down his first three and here's the look see look at
02:29right I just looked at you you stared me down I'm just being a good play by analyst
02:35throwing it back to my plate you know that's all I'm doing
02:37truck has my back look at this take away by Henderson run with him Donovan all the
02:43way to the basket timeout San Antonio on a start to this third quarter by these
02:49young Blazers they've scored all eight here in the second half 11 in a row if you
02:55count the back end of the first half the hands of Scoot Henderson getting in
02:59it's super scooting and all of a sudden it is a two-point game in Texas
03:13they're brought to you by Kia and by Wemby
03:19look at the Hall of Famers appreciate it got me out of my seat you run to the
03:27three-point corner and the bench reaction tells it all eight of 13 in that first
03:35half of the field miss the only shot is taken here in the second half Portland
03:38great start to this third quarter and scored eight in a row to make it a two-point
03:42game see what the out-of-timeout play is for the Spurs it's Fox finishing at the
03:48rim
03:52we run that action a lot for Wemby and this time it was a reverse action for Castle
03:59it's a reverse action it's a reverse action it's a reverse action it's a reverse action
04:09scoop two more what happens when you see the ball go through that three-pointer by
04:15scoop comment got the energy going hit in his body here for Henderson just 22
04:25years old you have to see the outside no clinging the rebound and the Blazers can
04:33tie or take the lead they want to trail by 16 in this one all movement has been
04:40their friend here I'm clinging inside held on to by Fox the air it'll pick up his
04:46second foul of this game look at Castle's head here you've got to be kidding me and
04:56here's a little behind the back step back here by Henderson five quick points in
05:03this third for Sterling his proper first name
05:09we'll be waiting to try to dish it cutely to clinging it's a turnover back the
05:15other way for sell but the Blazers got back defensively
05:19and penny swings it to Fox when be outside the arc castle free three
05:26when Antonio cold to begin this second half
05:33and it's exactly champagne clinging it's gonna hit some of those shots to pull
05:38Wemby out if he's the primary defender out of the corner three
05:42for the lead to Mara rimmed it out in a head Fox I'll be up back clinging
05:48protects the paint foul on of the his first team first in the third quarter
05:59sometimes you just gotta look ahead no one back for the Blazers
06:06and there's the contact by Denny any problem seeing with San Antonio early on
06:11here other than missing shots well and they're settling too we saw the one thing
06:15that they got the alley-oop to Castle when they get ball movement or get in there
06:21that's a tough shot right there
06:27third chance to tire take the lead and a turnover by Scoot Henderson
06:35finished high school a year and a half early couple years of G League ignite now
06:41his third year in the league
06:44on the three hit ahead Holliday champ Penny was back playing free safety Holliday
06:51behind the play five on four and three is champ Penny for three
06:56it's the live ball turnover you've got three opportunities to tie or take the lead
07:04and you've turned the ball over on all three
07:08Spurs were one of ten in the quarter until that knockdown by champ Penny
07:13he stepped on the line another turnover
07:18another turnover
07:19here
07:23if you're Tiago Scrooge you got to think
07:30Holliday grabbing at that left knee that
07:32remember he takes earlier he took a shot in that first half he got it he went knee-to-knee
07:41he had a right calf injury that kept him out for 27 games this year
07:45Castle
07:47Cornette on the floor is one but Yala came out of that whistle
07:50it ran through Fox but when he went to the bench of the first half
07:53it does again here in the second
07:57five on four if they hurry as Fox joins the play
08:01Holliday slings it inside
08:03Klingon to Convert
08:04got it back, denied
08:07by Vassell
08:10Vassell in full flight
08:12bumps by Klingon, bow on the pass
08:18second on Klingon second on the Blazers in the quarter
08:20and it's almost like the Spurs can turn it on at any time they want
08:25ignited by their defense this was almost a double block right here and look at Vassell
08:29cleans it up with the block himself
08:43score here you might think about a timeout here
08:45nice deal
08:46Holliday took the worst of that contact
08:49with that great team killer the ball showed up
08:51Vassell denied
08:52inside on the block but the foul is called
08:55on the secondary action
08:57Mike there are no free lunches
08:59and Devin Vassell again not giving up on the play
09:03comes up with another block
09:05look at this
09:06Holliday thinks he had the wild delay
09:10Vassell with the chase down
09:17one
09:18money Kamara comes to the free throw line
09:2371% on the season 73 career
09:27we talk about his defensive prowl
09:30say about his mileage in a second
09:33but a smaller distance of mileage
09:35at the Kentucky Derby will be run
09:38two weeks from yesterday
09:40it's the run for the roses
09:41first Saturday in May
09:42high fashion meets high stakes
09:45the Kentucky Derby
09:46we will have it for you on NBC
09:48and Peacock
09:49and an NBA playoff game
09:50right after that on Derby
09:51night
09:52so the Derby party will go
09:53deep into the night
09:54mm-hmm
09:58exciting two minutes in sports
09:59and then the excitement of the NBA playoff
10:02the sound
10:03well he's doing it on the defensive end
10:06he might as well
10:07get involved offensively
10:14right out of the corner
10:17Spurs on a little push here
10:20Blazers had it down to
10:23when beyond the bench
10:25Dylan Harper works with castle
10:27but still feeling it
10:29good strong take
10:31traffic
10:33castle brought defenders to him
10:36far is free
10:37needs it
10:39not even close
10:41look at Vassell
10:42he is everywhere
10:43on the floor
10:44jack it up
10:45go get it
10:47Devin Vassell
10:48timeout Portland
10:58it's been the Devin Vassell show here in the third quarter
11:03defensively but more importantly offensively
11:07look at this three here his fourth on the evening
11:12and now it's the Spurs
11:15back up 11
11:21tonight in Philly the Braves won on Sunday night baseball 4-2 next Sunday night
11:26Reggie's Angels take on the Royals
11:28Mike Trout a good week
11:29and Sunday night baseball NBC SNN Peacock at 7 Eastern time
11:34Spurs up 11 here's Zora
11:40much talk about Drew Holiday's impact on this Blazers team and it was on full display in that last huddle
11:46vocal passionate
11:48voice he said guys only 11 will take care of it right now and I talked to Drew about his
11:53leadership and he downplays it he doesn't give himself enough credit
11:56I said Drew your teammates talk about how much they appreciate you
11:59he said well I guess I'm doing my job
12:01and speaking of doing his job
12:03Devin Vassell has been doing his job on this night
12:06he has scored the last six
12:08and he's helped keep this San Antonio egg
12:12at 11
12:16Optia has not taken a shot in this second half
12:20Vassell right there on his hip
12:23tipped out 5 to shoot
12:34of the fighting Vassell who's done such a good job both ends of the floor
12:38Blake Clark shaping stuff
12:41with the three and the rebound goes to Stephon Castle
12:45for the Spurs
12:49Nelson Johnson out of the corner right at sharp
12:51came up short
12:53that's a travel down there good call
12:56ball didn't hit the rim and Johnson was the first to touch it
12:59look when
13:01Victor is on the bench
13:03if I'm Tiago who took a shot to the chin
13:05if I'm Tiago's splitter
13:06and the Blazers
13:08I've got to attack the paint every single time
13:11right now Portland shooting 11 of 25 44 percent in the paint
13:16but a lot of those shots is when Victor's on the floor
13:18when he's not you've got to get into the paint
13:21stop settling
13:22stop settling
13:24Spurs defensive intensity picked up after that timeout
13:27when the bleed was cut to 2
13:30Avdi a little space
13:31got a 3
13:33Denny Avdi hits his first field goal attempt in this second half
13:362
13:37got a 3 second
13:38come on
13:39that was a 3 but
13:405 quick points for
13:41right you're right
13:42sorry thank you
13:43go Denny
13:44of 24
13:45thank you partner
13:46castle
13:47lost
13:48Cornette
13:51good
13:52minutes here
13:54again by Luke
13:56in place of Victor
13:58here's this match-up zone that we saw a little bit in the first half
14:01by the Spurs
14:02by the Spurs
14:04sharp attacks it
14:05hands to Avdi
14:07there he goes
14:08Cornette
14:08waiting
14:09with the vintage
14:10familiar Cornette block
14:12back the other way
14:13castle
14:13contacted
14:14and fouled and Avdi
14:16back behind the play
14:17I think he collided he
14:18either ankle or his
14:21shin
14:22on that drive there by Denny
14:24he is in some pain right now
14:27trying to walk it off
14:36it was two players behind the play as both he and Robert Williams collide
14:40and the Spurs essentially had a 5 on 3 coming the other way
14:44the shade and sharp foul was good
14:46made castle earn it at the line
14:54sharps gonna go to the bench
14:56and so will Avdi here with three minutes left in the third
15:00we're gonna have to take a look
15:03at Denny over there
15:04this is gonna be three minutes without your best player on the floor here
15:08and you're down currently
15:10by eleven
15:11it's nice that you have holiday coming in
15:16to be the primary point guard
15:18he is in some pain
15:20Courtney Watson
15:22director to help
15:24score the Blazers
15:27tending to Avdi
15:31Scoot Henderson help carry the load
15:32to the elbow
15:33just inside of it
15:34for two
15:35for Scoot
15:36he's got a dozen in the game
15:38and nine in the quarter
15:39of the
15:40one
15:45for
15:48building job
15:49Cornet
15:50clean it up
15:52Robert Williams comes over
15:54to be the rim protection
15:56no one takes off Cornet
15:58he was now in double figures
16:00with him
16:09In the pocket of Castle running away from it running to the basket contacted by Henderson who picks up the
16:15foul
16:20Here's the put back here by Cornette almost loses the basketball fingertips
16:26guided into the rim
16:28And here's Denny odd via here's that injury running into Robert Williams
16:34Almost like need a shin
16:38Castle at the free throw line
16:40You see obvio the wrap on that right calf
16:47Trying to keep it loose just test it here a little bit
16:53As he's being looked at
17:00Band around the ankle has a tight there. Just trying to keep it
17:04One loose and two to see what kind of range of motion he has
17:08Lead is 14 for the Spurs Blazers had this a one-point game but a 10-2 and now an
17:148-2
17:15Stan Antonio part of these stretches in the third inside of two to go
17:21Holiday lob Williams one-hand throwdown Williams is big good good off the bench here for the Blazers
17:28He's in double figures now so for net for the Spurs Williams for the Blazers doing their part
17:35For the guys who know the postseason for their time for the Celtics
17:40Castle contacted and earning another trip to the stripe he's six of six at the line
17:51He's going up on this one
17:53He's kept Cornette in his place there
17:55Yeah, sometimes you need to have a little bit of a
17:59Boost to get up there Mike, you know it in the NFL on Sunday Night Football
18:03That's a penalty if I try to block the field goal. It's a leverage. Yes. Can't put the hand on
18:08the
18:09Guy's back Cornette check it out some really good minutes from Luke fans know it
18:16Wimpy does too
18:21Plus 12 when he's been on the floor in terms of the score column
18:24And that speaks a little bit so Wimpy the hand there for Cornette. Mm-hmm
18:29We've been around this team multiple times is the post all-star break is run happen
18:34Zora mentioned in her report about the guys coming in the same suits very connected team very comfortable
18:41With the multiple players playing key roles and we're seeing that here tonight
18:53You know how they have area 51 where you don't know what's going on there. That's area one
18:58It's like yes, whatever's going on in there around number one
19:01You don't know what's going on, but you know something's about ready to happen, and you know, you should stay
19:05away. Yes. Yes area one
19:15For sure no points for women young in this third quarter at 12 in the first nine in the second
19:24Fox
19:26Goes inside when we try to clean it up
19:28Scoot Henderson back the other way
19:31four on four
19:33Right from the top usually there's quarter threes for Grant at three doesn't go. Yeah, but who can definitely that
19:39shot?
19:40him
19:42champagne
19:54I'm at the three-point shooting tonight for the Spurs
20:00They are at 50% from deep
20:07Adjustment inside this last minute let's start it off as a great quarter for the Blazers has gone downhill
20:15Seven minutes it's the largest San Antonio lead of the night
20:21holiday over when vanilla
20:25Defines hierarchy
20:29Six seconds the difference between the clock
20:39Be Aaron Fox sizing up going in
20:43Quimby
20:43Denied up top
20:46Stays inbound six to go Grant on the push back inbound
20:51Burks it down
20:52Oh
20:53It was brought it all down
20:55Spurs a chance here at the end of the quarter Harper
21:02Spurs can't believe they didn't get a call at the end of the third but San Antonio
21:06Saw the league shrink to one so they extend it to 15 after three in game one on Sunday night
21:12basketball
21:13Presented by keel
21:18Sunday night basketball is brought to you by Kia the official automotive trucker of the NBA
21:26Back at the home of the five times NBA champs
21:29Spurs lead by 15 the people who are a big part of that mother Ginobili
21:34David Robinson Tim Duncan Greg Popovich here at the game tonight so good to see poppin before them was the
21:40Iceman
21:41Green George German some terrific first ABA and now NBA legacy to the San Antonio team
21:49We have the Spurs dignitaries
21:51Quarter of game one
21:57And then you scoreless in the third will come to the free-throw line here to start the fourth foul
22:03on holiday
22:05Of Portland that'll be his third
22:07Anytime they run those high screen and rolls with Victor
22:12He's always going to get a favorable switch on there looks like there's gonna be words down low was he
22:17shooting the basketball did the foul occur before?
22:22Every time they get the switch all they're doing is throwing it to the sky and letting Victor look at
22:28this look at the mismatch with holiday trying to guard him just throw it up
22:31Let him do the rest did the foul occurred first before he got the basketball
22:37And then the act to two free throws coming for Wembley
22:42You're the fans canning MVP as you saw with Maria and the guys in the studio
22:47Kia MVP three finalists named she goes this Alexander Nicole Jokic and that guy
22:57Also a finalist for the defensive player of the year
23:03With Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City and Asar Thompson of the Pistons. Well, it's safe to say that one's a
23:10no-brainer
23:14We'll find out tomorrow the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year announced tomorrow
23:19The clutch player of the year will be announced on Tuesday
23:23Tomorrow got Webby to fly in the air obvious step back
23:26Short on the three chase down by Fox loose ball foul Henderson
23:34That'll be four on scoop
23:54Still a hard straight line
23:56Man got turned twice
23:59But still found a path to the gold beyond holiday and they'll bring in on the floor, right? So he's
24:05their rim protector
24:08He is the blazing going small can don't start the offense
24:14Space he wasn't branch into the paint swaps it away
24:18Come on. Come try it
24:20Champagny one more
24:24Timeout Portland the Spurs on a run
24:31And Mikey was led by
24:34And I'm gonna call it the defensive player of the year Victor Wimbenyama
24:43This is what you call being the last line of defense barking out order one-on-one defense against Kamara
24:49takes the challenge
24:50Okay, he gives the ball up you switch out here comes Grant doesn't even leave his feet for the block
24:57shot
25:00We'll be rewarded with a defensive player of the year look at the
25:04The emotions towards the bench here and they absolutely
25:09Love it
25:11We should point out that's not official
25:13Yes, it is your particular. Oh, it's official. Stop it. We don't know for a fact
25:19Out of the corner
25:21The three is knocked down to quite the there are three things I know death
25:25Yeah taxes and Wimby will be the envy or the defensive player of the year tomorrow
25:31Well the three things I do know
25:34Okay
25:37The veteran Harrison Barnes just a couple of points to this one
25:41With a few minutes played from Barnes here is Wimbenyama working inside with Klingon
25:45In there for a while
25:47Fights it over the rim
25:48Carried and a foul
25:50Did he get hit in the face? That's what he's so upset about
25:53And I love it
25:54See I think he learned this when he was studying with the shallow temples about
25:59Not showing a lot of emotion look he gets smacked a couple times across the face
26:05And the monks
26:08Internalizing everything
26:09Oh, I love it
26:16Now that one I won't call
26:19MVP thank you
26:20I won't call that one
26:22Zora go ahead
26:23Well guys the last time I talked to Victor Wimbenyama
26:26I told him I see more physicality and voice in your game this year
26:29He said yeah, I'm pissed
26:31I said Victor why are you mad?
26:33And he explained that his anger is channeled this year for what you talked about Reggie
26:37For all the work that he did in the offseason
26:40He said I've always played this way
26:42And now I have the ability to channel it
26:45We're seeing it on one of the biggest stages
26:46And we're seeing him play big minutes key minutes the long run long shot
26:53Got that
26:55Got it all
26:57Absolutely has it all
26:59Playoff debut 28 points
27:01Clingon attacks the rim
27:05Wimbeny's got four of five
27:07Shooting the threes only four rebounds in the game
27:10But
27:13His playoff debut 28 points here tonight
27:17Well, he wants to go at it
27:19He's really right?
27:19He wants to go out of
27:23Well dance will spin little window
27:26That's for you Tim Duncan
27:31Always watch Timmy put it off the window seemed like in the first quarter of every game he played
27:35He's the idea the second thought he got the lame that time
27:38So did holiday
27:40Sure
27:43But the Spurs will live with that
27:44Yeah, you can drive in here
27:47But everyone's
27:48Dishing the ball out because of Victor
27:50Is he gonna make it a hat trick?
27:52You might as well go back to number one here
27:55Tomorrow's got him on the primary now
27:57On the switch he's got Clingon
28:00Little change in the air
28:01Barnes right back
28:02Wembe shot fake
28:03Wembe
28:05Rolling through
28:06Hit the deck hard
28:07He's down back behind the plate
28:09Sharp is fouled by Champagne
28:11As Wembenyama
28:13Gets himself off to death
28:15And Champagne will do
28:17Bigger pardon
28:18Sharp will do that on the other side
28:19After being hit by Champagne
28:20Yeah, that's how he got sped up here a little bit
28:22A little bit out of control
28:24Off balance
28:25And that's where the turnover occurred
28:27Took a little shot there
28:28It looked like to the
28:29To the rib cage
28:32You're welcome to the fair
28:35So let me ask you this
28:36Yes
28:38I know it happens in golf
28:39And when we cover golf
28:41We're in a major championship
28:42It's Sunday
28:42And the guy's got too much adrenaline
28:44He's got to dial back
28:45Like okay, maybe it's not a full eight iron
28:47Maybe it's a three-quarter eight
28:49Because that adrenaline's flowing
28:51How do you manage that
28:52When you're in the playoffs
28:53You're like Wembe right there
28:54Where he was possessed
28:55He wanted the ball every time
28:56Down the floor
28:57Well, you're trying to make a steam
28:58And again, this is his first playoff game
29:01And all the eyeballs are on him
29:03Nice move there by Holiday
29:06And sometimes, you know, again
29:07We talked about him studying
29:09You know, with the monks
29:10And the breathing
29:12And sometimes you get sped up a little bit
29:14Which we just saw from him
29:16He has absolutely put on a show here
29:19In this fourth
29:21But do you learn as you get more
29:22Yes
29:23Playoff experience
29:23How to handle that emotion
29:25In a tense playoff moment
29:26Absolutely
29:27The more reps you get
29:28You can't listen
29:29Game one for him
29:31And for Castle
29:32He's off the mark
29:34I think for all these young Spurs
29:36Dylan Harper
29:37He mentioned Castle
29:39They're all gonna have their growing pains here
29:42Holiday got a screen from Williams
29:44Couldn't bang the three
29:47Castle on the glass
29:48The number 17
29:49With seven and a half to go
29:51Obdia remains out
29:53For that last whistle
29:55With attention to that right cap
29:57He's chasing Bart
29:58Now
30:01Harrison can't convert
30:02Williams to board
30:04Again, these non-weapon Yama minutes
30:06How does
30:07The blazer offense look
30:08Sharp tried to get it inside
30:10But he couldn't finish
30:14At the time I'll take it here
30:16By Mitch Johnson
30:17And the Spurs
30:18Seven even to go
30:20San Antonio
30:20Up 17
30:26Remember here
30:27For Victor Webin Yama
30:29He comes back
30:29Have a chance to pass
30:31Tim Duncan for most points
30:32In a playoff debut
30:33Duncan had 32 and 10
30:35And while we were away
30:37They showed Duncan
30:38And David Robinson
30:39Seated to his right
30:41On the big board
30:42The entire building got up
30:43For one of the loudest
30:44Ovations of the night
30:47Stephon Castle
30:48Short
30:50Rebound from Portland
30:51It was 61-59
30:53The Blazers had
30:54Multiple opportunities
30:55To tie or take the lead
30:56Right around the
30:57Seven and a half minute mark
30:58Of the third quarter
30:59Since then
31:00It has been
31:01One-way traffic
31:02All San Antonio
31:04Scoot
31:04Henderson
31:04For the basket there
31:06As he's up to 14 points
31:0811 in the second half
31:18To the bounce
31:19Cornet
31:20Extends to bar
31:24Keldon Johnson chasing it down
31:25The loose ball foul
31:26Will be on San Antonio
31:30Keldon Johnson
31:35He gave it away
31:36Because he was the one
31:37Requesting the challenge
31:42Unfortunately he probably
31:43Didn't remember in the moment
31:44That San Antonio is out of
31:46Challenges
31:46He used it in the first half
31:48Unsuccessfully
31:50Wempanyama
31:50Wempanyama back on the floor
31:51I think they put
31:52Victor back in the floor
31:54To get one more bucket
31:55To tie
31:56Duncan
31:58They used to make sure
31:58This thing doesn't get down
31:59To ten or nine
32:01Passes took a shot by the head
32:03Abdi
32:04Couldn't get it over
32:05Wempanyama
32:06Foul
32:06Hibaway
32:07Three
32:09And a technical foul
32:12On Mitch Johnson
32:13Of the Spurs
32:14He was looking for a call
32:16And Johnson
32:17Gets teed up
32:22So Abdi will come to the line
32:24They get a four-point trip
32:29This game is far from over here
32:35We saw this Portland team in that same situation
32:39Versus Phoenix in the play-in game
32:44They scored nine in a row
32:45Here's the contact on Castle
32:49That was the latest thing Johnson
32:53Took exception in front of Josh Timm and the crew chief
32:57And he said too much and Timm and teed him up
33:01So the Blazers hanging on the edge of this one
33:04It's a dozen under six to go
33:08Williams with the guard on Webb and Yama
33:13Shot clock at four
33:15Webb be stepping back, taking three
33:17Taking three
33:20It's ridiculous the way he just
33:23Can create as much space as he needs
33:26And remember now he's 7-4
33:29Foul called on the spurs as Obdi was knocked down to the ground
33:33And then Yama now five of six from distance
33:3833 points
33:40It's a step back three games
33:42We've got the most by a spur in his playoff debut
33:47And here's the foul called on the other end
33:51Fans did not agree with it's on for sell
33:55He's had a sensational game as well
33:57And the spurs out challenges
34:00Telvin Johnson
34:01Trying to stay with Obdi
34:02Doing a dance
34:03Doing a dribble
34:05Two passes
34:06Scoot
34:06Late shot clock
34:07Got to take it
34:08Makes it
34:1013 point game
34:115-0-5 to go
34:20Castle looking for the call
34:25Inside, nice move. Didn't finish.
34:29Anderson back the other way for the Blazers.
34:31No numbers. Secondary sharp.
34:33With Lemby there. Can't finish.
34:38The Aaron Fox.
34:41Heldon Johnson.
34:44Turned it over.
34:45Avdia hit ahead.
34:47Brows it down. It's 11.
34:49Yeah, Mitch Johnson's getting a set play called here.
34:56Players are showing some life here.
34:59Can they come up with some timely stops here?
35:03Boxing weapon.
35:05But Stella Green.
35:09Out by the Spurs.
35:11Chance to get it to single digits here.
35:14And Foreman's a little gassed as well.
35:16And as you see, watch Demi walking by us.
35:20Denny Avdia limping, as you see right in front of us.
35:22Great shot from our crew.
35:24Pierre Moussa, our director.
35:26Frank DeGracse, our producer.
35:28We all get settled in for this wonderful playoff run.
35:32It's been a terrific...
35:3440 hours of playoff action.
35:37He's opening games at all eight series.
35:39Henderson.
35:41Pulled the string short.
35:42And it will go down the other way.
35:44With the Blazers.
35:46Three more on our family of networks tomorrow.
35:50Game on Peacock.
35:51And then two on NBC.
35:53And same true on Tuesday as well.
35:55We will stay right here for game two of this series.
35:59Tuesday night at 8 Eastern, 7 San Antonio time.
36:035 on the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
36:09Fox, Wendy in the basket.
36:12Time out, Portland.
36:16That could be a killer combo as this close season goes on.
36:24Tonight, the headlines are brought to you by Chili's.
36:27And, of course, who is it?
36:29The hottest young player in our game today.
36:32This is how they started off.
36:34Being physical with him.
36:36The assistant coaches.
36:38And it translated to the game.
36:41Blazers tried to be physical with Victor.
36:43But it did not matter.
36:49What a debut for Victor.
36:5335 now.
36:55The NBA record for postseason points in the debut game.
36:59Luka Doncic.
37:00Then with Dallas in 2020, he had 42.
37:04Obvious shot dancers on the rim.
37:06Scoot Henderson will be called for the hold on Wemba Yama.
37:10It is the fifth on Scoot.
37:11Yeah.
37:16In the bubble, Luka scored 42 against the Clippers.
37:21We're going to get a challenge here on that call.
37:23Over there.
37:28Timeout taken by Portland.
37:30Portland has told a timeout to challenge.
37:32We're only going to lose both foul on Henderson.
37:33It's worth number two all-time in debut points in a playoff game.
37:3838.
37:40D'Aaron Fox did it with Sacramento against Golden State.
37:43And John Williamson.
37:44Super John Williamson of the Nets against Philadelphia back in 1979.
37:50So, Wemba Yama nearing record territory here with 325 to go.
37:55We talked to Mitch Johnson before the game about Wemby.
38:01And he talked about him in all the physical ways.
38:04But he also talked about him being thoughtful and logical.
38:07Mm-hmm.
38:08And they've talked at the entire time, Reggie, we've been around these guys this season,
38:13about having a plan and working together to kind of build Wemba Yama through the season,
38:19through the injuries.
38:20And Mitch said, yeah, there were times when it got frustrating when it had to keep him
38:24through a certain number of minutes.
38:25Couldn't play him to close the game.
38:26But it was all for right now.
38:28And to have him physically and mentally ready in his first playoff opportunity to try to
38:33carry a team deep into the postseason.
38:36Well, we've got 325 left in this game.
38:37He's working on 30 minutes right now.
38:40And a lot of people were questioning Mitch Johnson and player development here with the Spurs.
38:46And they played the long game, looking at the big picture.
38:49And what matters is this time of year, having a healthy roster, but more importantly,
38:55having a healthy Wemby come postseason.
38:58And we're seeing the fruits of the labors of them sometimes just playing him 25 minutes,
39:03not starting him in one of those games, as they still look here to see.
39:10There's certainly contact over the top right there by Henderson.
39:21There's the contact right there.
39:27There's a feeling of just incidental contact with that one.
39:33We'll see if that's where they end up and land on is Brett Barneke in the replay center back
39:39in New Jersey.
39:41It could be DeRosa and Josh Tiven on the headsets, watching and communicating all together.
39:48Let me get a look at the many angles in the replay center.
39:51They can pull up, feed to the monitor here as a decision is made.
39:59Well, the natives are growing restless because they keep watching it on the replay.
40:04And the Dumbotron here is poured and doing the waves.
40:07That's all.
40:07Fun review.
40:08Henderson legally hits the ball.
40:09And then as the players come back to the floor, the arm contact is incidental contact.
40:13So there is no foul on the play.
40:15The call is being overturned to a no call.
40:17In the immediate aftermath of the play, Kamara has possession of the ball.
40:22It'll be Portland ball on the low sideline with 14 on the shot clock.
40:26Portland retains this timeout, and they have one further challenge if needed.
40:30So a good challenge by the Blazers as that incidental contact with the ball first contact negates the other stuff
40:37on the back end.
40:38So it stays down here with the Blazers because they did get a medium possession.
40:42A chance to get it to 10.
40:45And as you said, they were in a similar type hole against Phoenix in the playing game in Arizona on
40:51Tuesday night.
40:52See if they can dig out of it again.
40:53Five of the fake and a take.
40:56We can make it as he did earlier in this fourth quarter.
41:00And the Spurs bring it back the other way.
41:08Box lost it.
41:09Got it back.
41:12Martin Webby, the two-man here.
41:16Got by Kamara.
41:17The line Webby all the way back in there.
41:19And we've got a whistle on the outside to foul on Holiday, I believe, of the Blazers.
41:25It is Holiday.
41:26He's got four.
41:28What's great about this Spurs team is when it does get close, if you are in a one possession game,
41:34you can get the ball in that man's hands right there.
41:36He is so good at his decision-making.
41:40The Fox at the line.
41:41Don't miss a playoff moment.
41:42The NBA app.
41:43Tap to watch games live.
41:44Break down the numbers.
41:45Behind tonight's game.
41:46Go behind the scenes on the postseason in the moments tab.
41:49Download the app.
41:51Tonight.
41:52Since today, I just ad-libbed business tonight.
41:55This is such a good ad-lib, right?
41:56I'll tell you, Mike.
41:57It's almost 1130.
42:01One more for Fox.
42:05People here have to get to sleep to get the big parade down the river as part of Miami.
42:09We're going to be there, you and I.
42:11Contact foul on Fox.
42:13Got in the way of Avvia.
42:18These fans are in postseason mode.
42:19They are on every call, right?
42:21This is just game one for them.
42:23They are on fire.
42:24It's been seven years.
42:252019 was the last playoff game here.
42:28You can see the same atmosphere at the Motor Center when there's seen chips for game three of this series
42:33on Friday.
42:34It's important.
42:36Avvia.
42:37Guarded by Wembe N'Yama.
42:39She's best players each side.
42:41Avvia go at Wembe.
42:44For two.
42:45He earned that.
42:49Denny up to 28 points on the night in his playoff debut.
42:56He has led them.
42:57Others need to come along more for Portland to try to get one here.
43:00Fox to Webby.
43:03Fox got it back.
43:05Let's go.
43:11Drew Henderson on the drive.
43:14Contact.
43:16And the foul.
43:19This is outside the frame, Reg.
43:23That's ridiculous, people.
43:26That is ridiculous.
43:28He's almost behind the backboard.
43:33And was almost able to finish up.
43:36Now on Champagne, his second.
43:37Henderson at the line.
43:40108.95.
43:41Both teams in the bonus the rest of the way.
43:43A couple of timeouts each side as we come down the stretch here.
43:5612-point game at the two minimum.
44:01As we talk about the top, you get more physical play in the playoff, so he's, Spurs, moving
44:07stream on Rembanyama.
44:09These Spurs are going to learn two things tonight, most likely in a win barring an amazing comeback.
44:15One, it's learning the physicality of the playoffs, and two, like you said, learning how not to expend energy complaining
44:22about calls.
44:23Control your emotions and understand the game shrinks.
44:27And there's not a lot of fast-break opportunities, there are some, but you've got to be able to control
44:34your emotions and play in a half-court setting.
44:36And one last push, Paladay-Noah 3, Wempanyama the board.
44:41Final minute 35, Spurs in great shape to get the victory.
44:48Box inside.
44:5117 points.
44:56Jude Henderson.
45:00And Vassell the rebound, and Vassell had a good night all the way across the board.
45:05He's in his sixth year, but it's his playoff debut.
45:08He's the second-longest tenured Spurs, and I'm tired of losing.
45:12Been a long journey.
45:15Couldn't cap the story with a three, but he still had a very good night.
45:24Avdia makes it 110-98, 30-point playoff debut.
45:31Vassell foul.
45:33And the benches will be emptied by the Blazers.
45:38Coming up, right after we're done, it's NBA Showtime with Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter.
45:44The one road team to get a win in this opening set of games.
45:50The Orlando Magic.
45:51Impressive against the Pistons.
45:53Wow.
45:53On the road, everyone was questioning Orlando, especially down the street.
45:58That bad last game versus the Boston Celtics when they held out everyone.
46:06Our series will continue with Game 2 here on Tuesday night on NBC and Peacock.
46:12Prime will have Game 3 on Friday at 10.30 Eastern, and ESPN will have Game 4 Sunday at 3
46:18.30 Eastern
46:19as Wempinyama and company check out.
46:28Another debut, right?
46:3335-5.
46:36The Aaron Fox 17.
46:38Eight assists and five rebounds.
46:41Wempinyama and Fox scored 17 straight for the Spurs before these free throws by Vassell.
46:48Did Kelly Olenek forget his socks?
46:51I mean, he's not thinking he'd be not to get in here.
46:57Looks like he has booties on, but I mean, you know, okay, no shows.
47:03This is Soko.
47:04He sold the rebound, 34 to go.
47:08Nothing gets by you, even at the end of a playoff game.
47:15Blake Wesley with the guard.
47:17There is the golf-sock-wearing Olenek.
47:21He does have socks on.
47:22He does have socks, but, you know, we might go play a quick nine.
47:26Carry the bag.
47:29Stock-clock violation.
47:31Blazers will likely do the same.
47:35And this opening round of playoff games.
47:42Worth the wait with Wemby.
47:44Worth the wait for the Spurs after seven years out of the postseason.
47:48San Antonio has got a playoff win again.
47:50Game one for the Spurs.
47:53Game one for the Spurs.
48:09Two sides, we'll get to see each other in less than 48 hours for game two.
48:14We talked about building a culture here in the city and the togetherness.
48:18It's just one of six cities, including Portland, that the only team in the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball, or
48:24the NFL is an NBA team.
48:26Oklahoma City, Memphis, Orlando, Sacramento, Portland, and San Antonio.
48:30One of the things is building a fan group.
48:32The Jackals are the fans who brought the European touch to this.
48:36And this was a tradition started in December.
48:38They win a game.
48:40And the drum leads the champ.
48:44Devin will sell the honor tonight.
49:07Beat the drum.
49:08They beat the Blazers in game one.
49:13Led by the extraordinary debut of Victor Wembanyama.
49:21Who had 35 points on the night and is standing by the door.
49:28Victor, all week you've talked about the playoffs.
49:31All week you've talked about the playoffs being a dream for you.
49:34What was your first taste of NBA postseason basketball like?
49:37I can't hear something.
49:39I really see what I'm wondering.
49:40That was a great first.
49:42You know, we were solid.
49:44But I was expecting.
49:47You can't hear me because this crowd is so electric, right?
49:51We saw your passion out there today.
49:53Your 35 points are the most by a spur in a playoff debut.
49:57Where was your head at in this one?
49:59I mean, it's at Baton Rouge.
50:03So, you know, it really reflects the spirit of the team.
50:07And then game one's their feel-out games.
50:09You can see the other team's cards a little bit.
50:11What did you observe about the Blazers?
50:13I mean, you know, pressure's on us in the first home game.
50:18But really, there's no pressure.
50:20You know, we keep saying it.
50:22We need to do the same thing we've been doing in the regular season.
50:25Don't overthink it.
50:26Game two is next.
50:29He led the Spurs to 35.
50:31Denny Avdia had 30.
50:33But the rest of the team, especially the starters, did not get off to as good a start.
50:38We're digging uphill most of the time.
50:40First round of coverage continues.
50:42NBC, SN, and Peacock.
50:43Cavs, Raptors tip off.
50:457-12 Eastern.
50:47Then on NBC, Peacock, Hawks and Dicks.
50:49Followed by Timberwolves and Nuggets.
50:51NBA Showtime presented by AT&T is next.
50:54Reggie Miller, Zora Stephenson, Mike Tirico.
50:56Good night from San Antonio.
50:57The Spurs win 111-98.
51:00You've been watching the NBA playoffs presented by Google.
51:02And Sunday Night Basketball presented by Kia.
51:10Concovering 88.uver.
51:11View. You're
51:11You're the best.
51:11it? You're the
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