Victor Wembanyama became the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game by leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 139-130 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Wembanyama a fit 50…
The 20-year-old Frenchman crossed 50 points for the first time in the NBA, in just 26 minutes, finishing the match with an 18/29 shooting success and eight three-point baskets, also a record for him.
The No. 1 pick in last year's draft, whose previous record was 40 points in a game, didn't know how to explain this performance.
“I would love to tell you that you wake up a certain way or you feel really good during warmups, but at the end of the day in the NBA we play a game every other day”he declared. “So every time, we have difficulty warming up, we are in pain, we sweat, we bleed on the pitch, so it’s really something that builds from minute to minute during the match”.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs faces the Washington Wizards in the NBA on November 13, 2024 in San Antonio. / Ronald Cortes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
“Wemby” continues a third consecutive game with more than six successful three-point shots (8/16 in total).
The three players who scored 50 points at a younger age than the Frenchman, who turns 21 on January 4, are Brandon Jennings, LeBron James and Devin Booker, all then 20 years old.
The Spurs were still without their legendary 75-year-old coach Gregg Popovich, who was the victim of a “mild stroke” in early November, the team announced Wednesday, adding that he is expected to recover quickly.
… Antetokounmpo and his 59
Wembanyama wasn't the only player to cross the 50-point mark on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 59 points in the Milwaukee Bucks' 127-120 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.
The Greek star made 21 of 34, grabbed 14 rebounds and delivered seven assists, which was the best performance by a player since the start of the season.
3rd consecutive triple-double for LeBron
LeBron James will celebrate his 40th birthday on December 30. In the meantime, he is multiplying incredible performances: he has just achieved a third consecutive triple-double to allow the Lakers to win against Memphis (128-123).
Against the Grizzlies, the « King » scored 35 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and offered 14 assists. An ideal start to the season for the Lakers at home with six victories in six games.
And 13 for Cleveland
The undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers won their 13th consecutive NBA victory with a 114-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
With the win, the Cavs became the sixth team to start a season with a 13-0 record and the first since Golden State during the 2015-16 season. The Warriors then broke the record for the best start to a season in history with 24 wins in a row.
Darius Garland led Cleveland in scoring with 25 points, while Donovan Mitchell had 23 points, 9 assists and 13 rebounds.
Cleveland trailed 54-48 at halftime but rallied in the third quarter. Mitchell finished the game on fire, scoring 11 points in 1:35 in the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia star Joel Embiid, who made his first appearance of the season Tuesday after missing nine games with a knee problem, remained on the bench and the 76ers were also without Paul George.
The Celtics convincing
The Boston Celtics continued their good start to the season. Their 139-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets allowed them to improve their record to 10-3.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, delivered 10 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds, helping the defending champion Celtics to a convincing victory.
Jaylen Brown scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Payton Pritchard scored 23 points, dished out eight assists and grabbed six rebounds.
