The San Antonio Spurs are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. The Spurs earned the No. 2 seed after an impressive regular season, while the Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Play-In Tournament to clinch the No. 7 spot.
This series features two of the Top 3 picks from the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson. Wembanyama was drafted first overall by the Spurs, while Henderson went third to the Blazers.
Wemby’s career has lived up to the hype, making the Spurs championship contenders in his third year. The same can’t be said for Henderson, who has been plagued by inconsistencies and injuries, during his first three seasons.
Henderson Makes Bold Wembanyama Statement
GettyVictor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 01, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Despite their career trajectories being different, Henderson is still full of confidence ahead of the Spurs-Blazers series.
Speaking to Bill Oram of The Oregonian ahead of Sunday’s Game 1 in San Antonio, the former G League Ignite guard believes he still should have been the No. 1 pick in 2023 over Wembanyama.
“Hell, yeah, I do. I think I bring so much to any team I go on,” Henderson said. “I bring that winning mentality, my confidence in my game and my approach to the game. … The way I look at it, however I can get on the court, however long I can stay on the floor, whatever I got to do, I’m out there. I’m trying to do it, trying to get stops.”
Henderson did admit that his first three years with the Blazers haven’t been easy. However, he still believes in himself and what he’s capable of doing on the court.
In 30 games this season, Henderson averaged 14.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He missed the first four months of the campaign due to his recovery from a torn left hamstring.
Wembanyama Turned Into an MVP Candidate
GettyVictor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Frost Bank Center on December 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
While Wembanyama’s career has had some hiccups due to injuries, he has been spectacular for the Spurs whenever he’s on the court. He turned into a legitimate MVP candidate this season, putting up 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.1 blocks per game.
The Spurs finished with their first 60-win season since 2017, when Kawhi Leonard was still with the team. Wembanyama is also set to win his first Defensive Player of the Year and will likely be the first unanimous winner.
The French superstar is expected to finish at least in the Top 3 of MVP voting, alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. Luka Doncic could also sneak in since he has been deemed eligible for awards by the NBA despite playing in just 64 games this season.
Nevertheless, Wemby is ready to lead the Spurs in their first playoff run since 2019. The Spurs won the season series against the Blazers 2-1.
Scoot Henderson Makes Bold Victor Wembanyama Statement Before Playoff Matchup