"He’s one of the toughest guys I know. He's going to shake back real quick.” What the Spurs had to say about losing Victor Wembanyama to injury and dropping Game 2 against the Trail Blazers: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The (taking it on the chin) triple take: Blazers 106, Spurs 103 1. Spurs needed more from everyone to survive Wemby's absence 2. The other high lottery pick from the 2023 draft had a night 3. Vassell deserved his moment, but the basketball gods are cruel www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on the injury to star center Victor Wembanyama: “I just know he has a concussion, and he’s in the protocol, and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps.”  Johnson was uncertain on the injury to Harrison Barnes.

Letting a Game 2 lead slip and losing star center Victor Wembanyama to concussion protocol, the Spurs met a nightmare scenario on Tuesday in the Frost Bank Center, allowing the Trail Blazers to draw even at one game apiece in their opening-round series. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Victor Wembanyama will not return to Tuesday night’s Game 2 against Portland after entering concussion protocol, the Spurs announced. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Banging his chin on the court after stumbling on a drive to the basket, Victor Wembanyama stayed down for a few moments before jogging back to the locker room. He is yet to reemerge from the tunnel. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The Spurs fell behind by 13 points about midway through the opening quarter but closed the period on a 19-5 run, entering the second quarter with a 28-27 lead against the Trail Blazers in Game 2. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Portland coach Tiago Splitter on the reception from Spurs fans during Sunday’s introduction: “It was special. Had great years here playing. … The peak of my career. Winning a championship here was special. As a player, it meant a lot to be part of this team and winning with them.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on being nominated for Coach of the Year: “I haven’t reflected yet. I think it’s an award, probably as much or more than any other award, that’s a byproduct of team success. … It’s more a reflection of the program and the operation as a whole.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on Victor Wembanyama winning Defensive Player of the Year: “It felt appropriate, but also happy for him. Very happy for him. It's been a lot of hard work and a lot of time put in, and details, to get to that point.”

Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, on the team’s mentality stepping into the playoffs: “I think we got out there and were just, ‘Let’s hoop.’ ... I could imagine everybody had some nerves and some anxiousness, but I thought we all went out there and no one showed no fear.”

Spurs center Luke Kornet, on the team’s performance in its playoff debut against the Trailblazers: “There’s a lot of stuff to adjust to, but I feel like our energy and physicality and especially the pace and togetherness I think were great. That’s kind of how we’ve been playing all season.”

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, on carrying the legacy of franchise icons like Gregg Popovich, David Robinson and Tim Duncan: “It feels safe. It feels like if you trip, there are a lot of hands that are ready to catch you. So from day one, it’s felt that way.”

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama after a Game 1 win against the Trailblazers, on the playoff atmosphere: “Of course, it is obviously different. But, we’ve been really good in the regular season, so we have no reason to act differently or do anything different in terms of tactics.”

Spurs guard Devin Vassell on his first playoff experience in a Game 1 win against the Trailblazers: “Fans were amazing, atmosphere was crazy. … As we got stops and got out in transition and really settled into our game, that’s when we started to pull away.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson after a Game 1 win against the Trailblazers, on the team’s response to a playoff atmosphere: “They deserved that. They deserved that moment to feel this city, their fans, that crowd giving them that energy, and I thought they ended up getting settled.”

Victor Wembanyama poured in 35 dazzling points to set a Spurs record for scoring in a playoff debut, sparking San Antonio to a 111-98 win against the Portland Trailblazers in Game 1 of their opening-round series Sunday at the Frost Bank Center. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Victor Wembanyama is up to 30 points in his NBA playoffs debut, ripping off nine more through the opening four minutes of the final quarter. The Spurs hold a comfortable 100-83 lead over the Trailblazers. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The Spurs appear to be on the brink of putting the Trailblazers away in Game 1, scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter to build the largest lead of the night at 21 points. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

The Spurs supporting cast stepped up as Victor Wembanyama was scoreless in the third quarter, allowing San Antonio to extend the lead on Portland to 87-72. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Devin Vassell knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, pushing San Antonio's lead back to double digits after Portland opened the third quarter with a brief rally. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson have sparked Portland to eight unanswered points to open the third quarter, trimming San Antonio's lead to 59-57. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Victor Wembanyama exploded for 21 points in the first half of his NBA playoffs debut, leading San Antonio to a 59-49 halftime lead over Portland. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Hot 3-point shooting and a burst of scoring off the bench from Luke Kornet have helped the Spurs build a double-digit lead in the second quarter against the Trailblazers. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Keldon Johnson's buzzer-beater and Victor Wembanyama's 12 points highlighted a strong first quarter for the Spurs, who lead the Trailblazers 30-22 after the opening period. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Stephon Castle looks unfazed in his first taste of the NBA playoffs, but Portland star Deni Avdija is also out to a strong start. San Antonio leads 14-12, 6:37 1Q. www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

Follow along with our live updates from Game 1 against Portland as the San Antonio Spurs return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019: www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs...

A look around the Frost Bank Center in the final minutes before the Spurs tip off Game 1 against Portland. Fiesta shirt participation looking very strong.

Portland coach Tiago Splitter, on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama: “A very special player. You're talking about a generational change because of him. Very, very unique. One of those players that can change the way the league plays.”

Portland coach Tiago Splitter, on his playoff debut against San Antonio, where he played from 2010-15: “Never thought that my first playoff game as a coach would be here, but I have big respect and love for this organization, still, of course. The peak of my career was here.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on the atmosphere around San Antonio ahead of the playoffs: “I’ve heard about Fiesta and the playoffs and the city of San Antonio for a long time. Never experienced it quite firsthand just as I have the start of this weekend. It’s real thing.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on preparing for San Antonio’s return to the playoffs tonight against Portland: “Whatever happens the next few hours, I think that we’re content that more time wouldn’t have helped. ... Now it’s time to go play.”

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet talks about the release of a T-shirt featuring his iconic celebratory pose, plus a couple other upcoming merch ideas for the holiday season.

San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson talks about the process of getting Victor Wembanyama reintegrated with the offense following his return from a calf strain. Wemby scored 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench against the Wizards.

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper talks about the development of his 3-point shot after making 8 of 12 from beyond the arc across the past two games. Known mostly for attacking the rim, Harper has hit 26.3% from 3-point range this season.