The French phenom's historic 39-point double-double fueled a crucial road win, mirroring legendary feats by Kareem and Shaq while proving the 7-foot-4 star thrives under postseason pressure.
The NBA playoffs are a place where teams can etch their names into league history. But, the postseason is also a chance for players to establish and separate themselves from others across the league.
on Friday night, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama did exactly that with his explosive 39-point double-double performance to help his team take a 2-1 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For more on Wembanyama’s explosive playoff performance, Spurs Roundtable writer Nick Teague has the breakdown.
In his club’s 115-108 win as the series traveled back to Minneapolis, Wembanyama’s 39 points were accompanied by 15 blocks and five blocks.
The French baller is one-of-a-kind. But now, he’s proving something that should position him in conversations of the best players gracing the court in the modern era.
His Friday performance put him in the company of greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to have 35 points, 15 rebounds and two steals in a game.
Oftentimes, playoff success is utilizing to settle debates of which player is better than another. Wembanyama’s pure talent and impact can’t be denied. But now, he’s proving something more by showing up in big moments when the lights are the brightest.
In a raucous environment, the Spurs big-man scored 14 points in the fourth quarter which including the 7-foot-4 star going 3-5 from three-point range.
Wembanyama continues to show up in big postseason moments, putting together an early version of the resume that will quickly separate him from the great and place him among the elite if he can keep it up.