Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama shrugs off 50-point eruption that leaves teammates in awe
Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 50 points in a performance that left his San Antonio teammates and the opposition in awe.
Wembanyama shrugged and wondered when he will do better after the Spurs’ 139-130 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
“Really, my first thought is, at the end of the day, I want the rest of our performances, the rest of our games to overshadow this one,” said Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 draft. “I would like, I want to make sure that will simply become a new one in the future.”
It is pragmatism that has seen Wembanyama become one of the league’s youngest superstars.
“Very impressive,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul said.
At 20 years and 314 days, Wembanyama is the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points, trailing only Brandon Jennings (20/52), LeBron James (20/80) and Devin Booker (20/145).
“The big guy, man,” San Antonio winger Julian Champagnie said. “I mean obviously that’s not going to be the case every night, but when he comes out with that mentality, man, it’s tough, it’s tough (for the opposition). Big shout out to him, big shout out to him. He’s working on his game.
“So we’re super proud of him and that’s what we expect from him.”
Wembanyama was 8 for 16 on three-pointers, setting a career high after setting that mark and tying it with six three-pointers in his previous two games.
Wembanyama started fast against the Wizards, hitting three-pointers from 25 and 28 feet as the Spurs raced to a 13-3 lead.
“Probably not [played against anyone] who does everything at a high level,” said Jonas Valanciunas, a center in Washington. “Those shots, the three-point shots, we did everything we could to take that away, but he still made it.”
Wembanyama had 24 points in the first half, his highest production in the first half, and then matched his highest production for any half with 26 in the final two quarters against the Wizards.
Wembanyama is the first player in league history with 20 three-pointers and 25 blocks over six games.
Wembanyama is the eighth player in San Antonio franchise history to score 50 points in a game. David Robinson holds the franchise record with 71 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 24, 1994.
That performance may mean something later, but Wembanyama was already focused on the match against the Los Angeles Lakers to open the Emirates NBA Cup on Friday evening.
“I like to celebrate the little wins and the big wins for a little while, but tomorrow we’re already stuck with the Lakers,” Wembanyama said.