- The 19-year-old Frenchman had twenty points to his name in the first half alone
- San Antonio now has a 3-2 record and moves up to No. 8 in the West
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Rookie Victor Wembanyama scored a season-high 38 points in a 131-121 win over the Phoenix Suns as he has now recorded 103 points in his first five NBA games. He is the only rookie, along with David Robinson, to score 100 or more points. in that time frame.
The 19-year-old basketball sensation had a handful of highlights, including a flying-down-the-lane-for-a-dunk move in the second quarter, as he had 20 points to himself in the first half alone.
The 2.40 meter tall Frenchman made 15 of 26 shots from the field and had 10 rebounds in Thursday night’s away win.
But it was his poise down the stretch that might have been most impressive.
Wemby, who can alternate between playing power forward or center, hit a 3-pointer, made three free throws, dunked and hit an 18-foot jumper during the decisive run.
Victor Wembanyama had a career-high 38 points against the Suns in a 131-121 win for the Spurs
Wembanyama, 19, shot 15 of 26 from the field while guarded by the Suns’ Josh Okogie
Phoenix’s Devin Booker returned from a sprained ankle and nearly had a triple double with 31 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. But it wasn’t enough for the Suns, who scored fourteen goals. Kevin Durant had 28 points.
It was the second time in three days that the Spurs defeated the Suns in Phoenix.
San Antonio shocked Phoenix 115-114 on Tuesday night, erasing a 20-point deficit and scoring the winning basket after Keldon Johnson stole the ball from Durant in the final seconds and made a controversial layup with 1.2 seconds left .
On Thursday, it looked like San Antonio would win in an instant.
The Spurs led 13-0 after the Suns missed their first five shots and never trailed again. San Antonio extended its lead to 27 points midway through the second quarter, taking advantage of Phoenix’s sloppy play on both ends of the floor.
Wemby had 20 points in the first half alone, while also adding two blocks to his crazy stat line
Suns star and two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant greets Wembanyama after the Spurs win
The Spurs led 75-55 at halftime after Wembanyama hit back-to-back 3s late in the second quarter.
Booker made a 3-pointer that brought the score to 14 points entering the fourth quarter.
The Suns continued their methodical push on Bates-Diop’s fourth dunk off an assist from Booker, which cut the score to 111-108 with 6:04 remaining.
Next up for the Spurs: the Toronto Raptors at home on Sunday.
The Suns, meanwhile, will travel to Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid and Co. on Sunday as well.