Victor Wembanyama had one of the greatest games of his young NBA career, scoring a career-high 40 points to help the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 130-126 on Friday.
The Frenchman also had 20 rebounds and seven assists as the Spurs outlasted the remarkable performance of Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who scored a career-high 61 points.
The night had the feel of a heavyweight fight as Wembanyama and Brunson went head to head in a scoring frenzy on court.
Despite Brunson’s heroics, it was Wembanyama who had the final laugh, nailing a three-pointer in overtime to help seal the victory for his squad.
Wembanyma, long regarded as one of the most exciting NBA prospects, became the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 to score 40 points and 20 rebounds in a single game, according to the NBA.
“I’ve never seen so much greatness before,” Wembanyama told reporters when asked if he wants to participate in future duels like the one he had with Brunson on Friday.
“I’ve just watched such brilliance, and I want to be a part of it.
“I’ve always wanted to, but now that I can compete with those men, I’m more inclined to do so. I’m not close, but I’m on the right track. I know it, and I will get there one day soon.”
Despite all of his efforts, Brunson had a difficult night. Not only was his career-high 61 points insufficient to earn the win, but he was only one point behind the Knicks’ single-game scoring record, established by Carmelo Anthony.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich showered praise on the “amazing” Brunson while highlighting Wembanyama’s development in the NBA.
“It just shows what he’ll be like when he understands all of the physicality that’s coming at him,” Popovich told reporters.
“Fortunately, he’s also a hell of an instinctive passer […] so he’s pretty special.”
The Spurs led the Knicks by 17 points at halftime, but the gap had narrowed to three points at the end of the third quarter.
New York then took the lead, with Wembanyama pushing the game into overtime with a pair of three-pointers before the Spurs secured the victory.
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