It’s not easy to make an 11-46 team must-see television, but Victor Wembanyama is doing that for the San Antonio Spurs right now.
In their 123-118 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, the Spurs rookie phenom put up 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks in 31 minutes.
Wembanyama’s performance earned high praise from LeBron James, who called him “special” after the game:
That kid is SPECIAL!! 👽
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 24, 2024
Bron and Wemby showed love on social media after the game last night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/o1dKf1g7pI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 24, 2024
According to the NBA, Wembanyama is both the youngest player to record a 5×5 game and he did it in the fewest minutes played in such a game.
Victor Wembanyama is the YOUNGEST player in NBA history to record a 5×5 (PTS-REB-AST-STL-BLK) game 📊
27 PTS
10 REB
8 AST
5 BLK
5 STLWembanyama completed this 5×5 game in 30 minutes and 55 seconds, the fewest minutes ever played in such a game 🤯 pic.twitter.com/oenPznGOKM
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2024
James wasn’t the only one in awe of what Wembanyama has shown he’s capable of doing already at 20 years old. Fans and analysts had a lot to say about it, as well:
Victor Wembanyama got his first 5×5 and the 15th in NBA history:
27 points
10 rebounds
8 assists
5 steals
5 blocksAt age 20 he’s the youngest ever to do it (Andrei Kirilenko was 22). He also did it in 31 minutes, the fewest minutes ever (34 by Marcus Camby). pic.twitter.com/UiP3lqBliw
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 24, 2024
If you didn’t know it already, last night was the nail in the coffin . . . the 2024 NBA Rookie Of The Year will be Victor Wembanyama.
Give credit to Chet, he has had a truly special rookie year, but unfortunately for him he went up against a record-breaking rookie from France. pic.twitter.com/FMEPhR2YFx
— Zachary Colwell (@zachcolwellPtR) February 24, 2024
Victor Wembanyama and Michael Jordan
That's it…that's the list@wemby | @spurs | #PorVida | @BallySports pic.twitter.com/bOzCtWIS5B
— Bally Sports San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) February 24, 2024
Victor Wembanyama and Michael Jordan
That's it…that's the list@wemby | @spurs | #PorVida | @BallySports pic.twitter.com/bOzCtWIS5B
— Bally Sports San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) February 24, 2024
While on the subject of Victor Wembanyama, here are his past 16 games.
22.4 points
10.0 rebounds
4.2 assists
3.9 blocks
1.7 steals
47.4 FG%
37.0 3FG% (5.1 att.)
82.8 FT% (5.4 att.)All in…. just 28.5 minutes per game.
I don't even have the balls to adjust those to Per36.
— Morten Stig Jensen (@msjnba) February 24, 2024
victor wembanyama will be the goat
— Draco 🚀 (@dracodzns) February 24, 2024
There was some discussion this week about the future face of the NBA in the wake of James’ comments during All-Star weekend about not having much time left in his career.
It’s a great time for star power in the league, with players like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having already established themselves as superstars.
There are also the up-and-coming players who look like superstars, including Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards and Chet Holmgren.
But Wembanyama is reaching a level where he could clearly be the best player from the entire group. He’s averaging 20.6 points on 46.6 percent shooting, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in just 28.5 minutes this season.
There’s still a long way for the Spurs to go before they are challenging for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they can feel confident about the future knowing they have one of the best young players the NBA has ever seen on their roster.
