Wilt Chamberlain (45) and Tracy McGrady (43). These are the players who, in history, have scored more points than Victor Wembanyama for their first “Christmas Day”. More generally, there are only two to have accumulated at least 40 points and 15 rebounds at Christmas: Wilt Chamberlain (twice) and Nikola Jokic.
Suffice to say that, for its first match played on December 25, “Wemby” did very, very well. Although this did not prevent the Spurs to lose to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden…
« I don't really know the history of Christmas Day » admits the Frenchman, however, who has averaged more than 32 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks for five games… “ I just look back at the game and think we were close to winning, but we slacked off on some aspects of the game at times.… »
The Knicks impressed
With his 41 points (17/25 shooting including 6/9 behind the 3-point line), Mikal Bridges inevitably received the praise of his teammates… who, however, did not fail to praise the performance of their French opponent .
« My God…he's just different » reacts Josh Hart, impressed by the height his opponent can shoot and his ability to convert his shots. “ The league will be in good hands once veterans like LeBron James or Kevin Durant retire. »
« He uses what God gave him » adds Karl-Anthony Towns, quite embarrassed by the defense of his opponent of the day. “ This is what makes him such a special defender, besides his ability to be able to cover a lot of space. He is athletic so he can move quickly and position himself wherever he wants. It is also large enough to change shooting trajectories. God blessed him. »
Regrets, but positive
Particularly hot from the second quarter onwards, Victor Wembanyama made a total attack on his defenders but that was not enough since Saint Anthony broke down at the end. To his greatest regret.
« I don't think it was a momentum match, but a match where we had to be dogs » he explains first. “ When the clock started to run into the last five and three minutes, we let them get rebounds and move us a little too much. They didn't beat us because they played better. It just proved that we weren't ready yet. We're getting closer, but it's something we have to do because I'm sure we'll see that it works and we'll become addicted to this way of playing. It just takes a lot of effort, but it also pays off big time. »
His interim coach, Mitch Johnson, was much more flattering at the press conference.
« He did a good job of imposing his will and his imprint on the match » concedes Gregg Popovich's assistant. “ He knew how to be solid in catching the ball and then finishing or attacking the circle. Of course, he also scored a few shots and got the job done on defense. But I found that we were connected collectively and, at times, that allowed his individual qualities to come out in attack. »
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 71 | 30 | 46.5 | 32.5 | 79.6 | 2.3 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 21.4 |
| 2024-25 | SAN | 24 | 33 | 47.7 | 35.6 | 87.7 | 1.9 | 8.0 | 9.9 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 24.8 |
| Total | 95 | 30 | 46.8 | 33.6 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 8.3 | 10.5 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 22.3 | |
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.
