Victor Wembanyama 'Still Hungry' After Spurs' NBA Playoff Series Victory vs. Blazers
Victor Wembanyama's first career playoff series win has him eager for more, as the San Antonio Spurs advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a 114-95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the Game 5 victory, Wembanyama explained he's "still hungry" for what's to come in this postseason for the Spurs.
"That was just one example of how a series can go, and that's a good way to start the playoffs," Wembanyama said. "We gained experience. And I'm still hungry for even better matchups."
One of the concerns for the Spurs coming into the playoffs was their lack of experience in this environment. De'Aaron Fox was the only one of their top seven scorers from the regular season with any postseason games on his resume, and that was just one series three years ago.
It turns out none of that really mattered against the Blazers. The only game San Antonio lost was Game 2 when Wembanyama left in the second quarter after a hard fall that put him in concussion protocol.
The Spurs took Game 3 on the road without Wembanyama thanks in large part to rookie Dylan Harper contributing 27 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Wembanyama's return in Game 4 closed any door the Blazers might have had to get back in the series. He put up a total of 44 points, 26 rebounds and 13 blocks over the final two games.
Portland was held under 100 points three times in five games. The Blazers scored fewer than 100 points just 12 times in 82 games during the regular season.
The Spurs' victory over the Blazers marks their first playoff series win since the 2016-17 season. They will await the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets series in the Western Conference semifinals.
