The term “video game numbers” gets thrown around quite often, but Victor Wembanyama actually had them on Wednesday night.
The San Antonio Spurs phenom went for 52 points and 24 rebounds, both career highs, along with eight blocks to lead the Spurs past the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on Wednesday night.
Wembanyama had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the first half to become the first player since the NBA’s play-by-play era began in 1996-97 with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a half.
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He’s the first player to reach 50 points and 20 rebounds in a one-point win since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964.
Wembanyama is just the ninth player in NBA history with a 50-20 performance, and the first since Luka Doncic in 2022. He’s just the third player to do it with five blocks, along with Chamberlain and Bob McAdoo.
And amazingly enough, Wembanyama believes he can “still do more.”
“I mean, my shots weren’t falling tonight and that forces me into a style of play that is exhausting. I can do it. I mean the proof is here. I can do it, but I can be much better if my shots fall. I know it’s just a matter of time,” he said.
The 7-foot-4 center from France was 16 for 28 from the field, including seven dunks, but 1 for 8 on 3-pointers.
The Spurs have won six straight and swept a three-game homestand. San Antonio has not lost since dropping the season’s first two games to Oklahoma City and Houston.
Wembanyama has averaged 32.5 points during the streak despite being under the weather with a virus.
“I haven’t been feeling great lately,” Wembanyama said. “I’ve been sick for a while, and today I felt like I got my legs back. So it should be more like this, more often.”
Wembanyama had two putbacks in the final 2:39. He missed his first three free throws in the final 2:10, but made one with 24 seconds left for the final margin of victory.
His 29.0 points, 12.4 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game this season are all career-highs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.