Victor Wembanyama put together an extraordinary performance on Wednesday afternoon at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, in what figures to be the first of many career games where the prodigy is featured on Christmas Day.
The 20-year-old, playing at the league’s most famous arena on a marquee day on the NBA schedule, registered 42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 4 assists (16-for-31, 6-for-16, 4-for-4) in the San Antonio Spurs' 117-114 loss to the hosting Knicks. With his performance, Wembanyama became the first player in league history to record at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks and at least five made threes in a game.
Wembanyama, who is averaging 25.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.0 blocks this season, has now had three games of 40+ points this season. Just one week ago, on December 19, he put up 42 along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks against the Atlanta Hawks, and on November 13, he scored 50 points against the Washington Wizards.
Being most helpful to Wembanyama on Christmas Day was Jeremy Sochan, who registered 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists on 8-for-10 shooting. Chris Paul put up 13 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds.
On the Knick side, Mikal Bridges (17-for-25, 6-for-9) put up 41, while Karl-Anthony Towns registered 21 points and 9 rebounds and Jalen Brunson 20 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds. Josh Hart had a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, and made big plays down the stretch. With 1:10 on the clock and the Knicks up 116-111, Hart rebounded a Tre Jones missed layup and pushed the ball up the floor, fouled on a layup attempt by Devin Vassell. Hart made one out of two. Chris Paul connected on a triple to make the score 117-114, and at the other end Brunson missed on a jumper, but it was Hart who was there to dive on the floor to retrieve the ball and get the ball to Brunson. With the shot clock expiring with under five seconds to go in the game, OG Anunoby missed a triple, but it was Hart who was there to get the loose ball, sealing the win for the 20-10 Knicks.
For Wembanyama and the 15-15 Spurs, the game was a great learning experience for a young team in front of a national, and global, television audience. That type of experience on a big stage against one of the top teams is invaluable.
What Wembanyama did on Wednesday was continue to show everyone what he is capable of doing. He is such a unique athlete, and is a tantalizing talent. It has been said ad nauseum, but at 7 feet, 4 inches and with the ability to handle the ball like he can, he presents the most problematic of issues for a defense. While you would like him to play in the paint more to take advantage of his height (as a defender a guy as tall as Wembanyama shooting threes is a bit of a bail out), the NBA has been going the way of the guard, and Wembanyama is no different in terms of how he wants to play.
Only 20, his raw ability is allowing him to put up stat lines like he did on Wednesday. He could be an even more dominant player if he played more inside as well, but for now, let's just enjoy the talented player that he is, and allow him to grow into his game more.
Around the League
Timberwolves 105 (15-14)
Mavericks 99 (19-11)
Edwards: 26 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST (11-for-24 FG, 4-for-7 3PT)
Randle: 23 PTS, 10 REB, 8 AST (6-for-13 FG, 3-for-5 3PT)
Irving: 39 PTS, 5 REB (14-for-27 FG, 5-for-14 3PT)
Doncic: 14 PTS, 5 REB (5-for-9 FG) in 16 mins; left game with calf strain, could miss extended time according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
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76ers 118 (11-17)
Celtics 114 (22-8)
Maxey: 33 PTS, 12 AST, 3 STL (12-for-23 FG, 3-for-9 3PT)
Embiid: 27 PTS, 9 REB (8-for-15 FG, 4-for-5 3PT)
George: 12 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST (4-for-15 FG, 0-for-7 3PT)
Tatum: 32 PTS, 15 REB, 4 AST (11-for-20 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)
Brown: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (10-for-23 FG, 3-for-6 3PT)
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Lakers 115 (17-13)
Warriors 113 (15-14)
James: 31 PTS, 10 AST, 4 REB (12-for-22 FG) Reaves: 26 PTS, 10 AST, 10 REB (8-for-20 FG)
Curry: 38 PTS, 6 AST (8-for-15 3PT)
Wiggins: 21 PTS, 12 REB (8-for-19 FG)
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Suns 110 (15-14)
Nuggets 100 (16-12)
Durant: 27 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB (9-for-26 FG)
Beal: 27 PTS, 4 STL (11-for-21 FG)
Jokic: 25 PTS, 15 REB (10-for-19 FG)
Porter Jr.: 22 PTS, 4 REB (7-for-14 FG)
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