Wembanyama was scintillating at times—launching his 7-foot-4-inch frame to swallow up opponents' shots or reach to the rim for long-distance slams—and aimless at others, fumbling passes and drifting around the floor. But his fifth game, Thursday night, brought a breakout to test even the most measured fan's restraint.
In his fifth career game Thursday night, the Spurs rookie accomplished something only the teenaged Kevin Durant and LeBron James had done before. It figures to be the first of many historic outings.
As the NBA career of French phenom Victor Wembanyama has gotten underway, Gregg Popovich, his coach with the San Antonio Spurs, has preached patience. Through the 19-year-old’s first four games this season, reserving judgment seemed wise. Wembanyama was scintillating at times—launching his 7-foot-4-inch frame to swallow up opponents’ shots or reach to the rim for long-distance slams—and aimless at others, fumbling passes and drifting around the floor.
But his fifth game, Thursday night, brought a breakout to test even the most measured fan’s restraint. In a 132-121 win over the Phoenix Suns—the Spurs’ second consecutive victory over the championship hopefuls—Wembanyama erupted for 38 points, to go along with 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks.
According to Stats Perform, two other teenagers in NBA history have matched the line since 1973-74: Kevin Durant, who scored 28 for the Suns on Thursday, and LeBron James.
