Spurs’ Mitch Johnson admits Victor Wembanyama truth after first playoff win

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is as competitive as they come. But mostly, and he has admitted such in the past, he is competitive with the most challenging opponent of all: Himself.

Wembanyama immediately squashed any concern in his first-ever game in the playoffs after leading the Spurs over the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-98, in Game 1 of their first-round clash at Frost Bank Center on Sunday.

The 22-year-old star went off for 35 points, including 5-of-6 shooting from long distance. He became the first player in league history with those numbers in his debut in the playoffs.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson gushed about Wembanyama’s mindset and willingness to challenge himself.

“There’s an approach we all have in terms of an expectation of a high level of preparation, details, nuance, competitiveness, physicality, everything,” said Johnson in the postgame conference.

“I think there’s a real desire from that young man to want to participate in that. This is his first playoff game, and he has lofty expectations and goals for himself, and being in the playoffs is squarely a part of a lot of that.”

“He has lofty expectations and goals for himself and being in the playoffs is squarely apart of a lot of that.”

Coach Mitch Johnson sounds off after the Game 1 win on Wemby's 35-point postseason debut – the most in Spurs history! https://t.co/brkqXDGhdE pic.twitter.com/FSDqlm6Uym

— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2026

Wembanyama took a unique approach in his offseason preparation, visiting different parts of the globe to learn more about culture, including meditation and kung fu in a monastery in China. He even shaved his head. He played chess against strangers in New York and underwent a muscle-building program.

Everything has paid off. He combined all the knowledge he gained with his physical attributes, making him a more well-rounded player in his third year in the NBA.

It is not a coincidence that Wembanyama is a frontrunner for MVP and the Spurs are back in the playoffs after a six-year drought.

Wembanyama has always bet on himself. He has always won.

The post Spurs’ Mitch Johnson admits Victor Wembanyama truth after first playoff win appeared first on ClutchPoints.