For fans of useless stats, Victor Wembanyama became last night the first player in NBA history to accumulate at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in less than 20 minutes. While his playing time is already limited, the Frenchman did not actually reach 20 minutes against the Hornets. Which did not prevent him from dominating the meeting with skill, races and intimidation. Clearly, the automatisms are much better with his teammates, and the alley-oops follow one another.
“Obviously I heard the criticism but it was never close to reality” “Wemby” reacts to criticism of its use. “There's nothing to worry about. I'm not a conventional player. I needed time to understand how I want to play and how I should play for the team. I guess it took everyone a while to figure out how to play with me. »
The 31 assists in this success against the Hornets are a sign that things are indeed getting better. “It looks like they’re starting to figure out how to play together.” observes Gregg Popovich.
For Wemby, every match sends a message
Replaced first as a pivot, then at the heart of the creation of the game, Wembanyama put together great performances. In January, he averaged 21.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.5 blocks. In… less than 25 minutes! For him, each game is a way of sending a message, and he has already had 17 double-doubles this season.
“I'm not talking for nothing. I try to concentrate on each match. Every time I step on the court I keep my goals in mind, every time I dunk I keep my goals in mind. I just have this energy in me that will push me to win.”
A journalist then asks him what objectives he is talking about. “Obvious goals, but the most important thing is to win a title one day, and that starts with today's efforts. »
Unfortunately for Wembanyama, he will not have the opportunity to send a new message this Saturday since the Spurs have confirmed that they are deprived of “back-to-back” and therefore of the meeting against the Bulls. Gregg Popovich assures that these restrictions could be lifted next week, after a new evaluation of the Frenchman's ankle. Which could allow him to play against his friend Bilal Coulibaly. He hopes so, as he whispered to our correspondent in San Antonio.
🎙️ Victor Wembanyama on next week's back to back: “Selfishly, I would like to face Bilal (Coulibay) but I will do what I am told,” he says. Before moving forward with a mischievous air: “But you never know, I might be able to play both matches.”
— Théo Quintard (@TheoQuintard) January 13, 2024
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 32 | 29 | 44.7 | 28.8 | 79.6 | 2.1 | 8.1 | 10.2 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 19.2 |
| Total | 32 | 29 | 44.7 | 28.8 | 79.6 | 2.1 | 8.1 | 10.2 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 19.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
