Victor Wembanyama produced a career night to help the San Antonio Spurs beat Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns for the second game in a row.
The French phenom finished with 38 games as the Spurs took a 132-121 win on the road.
Wembanyama is enjoying a great start to his NBA career. Photos by Christian Petersen and Garrett Ellwood/NBAE.Source: Getty Images
The Spurs, led by the no. 1 pick in the were brilliant all night and, at some point, led by as much as 27 points. However, they allowed the Suns to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
The Frenchman inspired the Spurs to a 12-0 run by scoring 10 to seal the win. The Spurs had bounced back from 21 down to beat the Suns in their previous game.
Wembanyama finished the game with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 15-of-26 shooting, per ESPN.
Durant had 28 for the Suns, while his teammate Devin Booker had 31. The result leaves the Suns with a 2-3 record, while the Spurs are 3-2.
What Wembanyama said
Speaking after the game, Wembanyama highlighted the importance of teamwork.
“We got our third win. Every game we try to find the spots that we need to hurt them. Today, it might have been in this way. Tomorrow, it will be someone else. That is how great teams work. If we want to be great, we need to play with everyone.”
After five games, Wembanyama has lived up to the hype. Before getting drafted as the No. 1 pick, he was the most hyped prospect since LeBron James.
He is averaging 20.6 points per game and 8.0 rebounds so far in the NBA this season.
The Frenchman is the Spurs’ third No. 1 overall pick. Hall of Famers David Robinson and Tim Duncan were also No. 1 picks. They both went on to become icons in the sport.
Wembanyama has been tipped to achieve great things. His combination of size and skill has prompted basketball fans to call him a generational talent.
Comparing LeBron and Wemby’s NBA debuts
Sports Brief recently compared Wembanyama’s NBA debut to LeBron James’ first game in the league, as the French phenom continues to impress.
Wembanyama played limited minutes in his first NBA start due to foul trouble, but still finished with 15 points in the loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
James had a much better showing on his debut, recording 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and four steals against the Sacramento Kings.