Victor Wembanyama becomes first rookie since 1990 to record triple-double with blocks

In one of the vital memorable nights of his more and more particular rookie season, Victor Wembanyama delivered one in all his most spectacular two-way performances of the season for the San Antonio Spurs.

Wembanyama had 27 factors, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks, as his workforce beat the Toronto Raptors 122-99 on Monday evening. Wembanyama performed simply 29 minutes.

Wembanyama was a defensive menace, guarding Raptors beginning centre Jakob Poeltl a number of instances, in addition to backup Kelly Olynyk and star ahead Scottie Barnes. This was Wembanyama’s second triple-double of the season, however his first with blocks. He beforehand topped out at eight blocks in opposition to Memphis on Nov. 18.

GO DEEPER

Even with restrictions, Victor Wembanyama’s adjustment to the NBA has been lickety-split

“He did a bit of little bit of every thing. Clearly, he’s an all-around gifted participant,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich stated. “He had a terrific really feel for the sport, and it confirmed in quite a lot of methods — whether or not it’s passing or making choices, blocking photographs, it doesn’t matter.”

Wembanyama blocked the primary shot of the sport, a layup try from Poeltl, hitting a 3-pointer going the opposite manner. That set the tone for dominance.

“I needed to make that further effort tonight as a result of much less and fewer individuals will go at me,” he stated. “Yeah, intimidation, I can see it occurring.”

This was the primary triple-double with factors, rebounds and blocks within the league since Jan. 22, 2021, when Clint Capela recorded one for the Atlanta Hawks. Wembanyama is the primary participant to document a 20-point triple-double that included blocks since March. 11, 2018, when Anthony Davis had 25 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s the primary rookie with such a sport since David Robinson, who had 24 factors, 12 rebounds and 12 blocks for the Spurs on Feb. 23, 1990. He joins Robinson (who had three) and Ralph Sampson as the one rookies to ever document a 20-point triple-double with blocks.

Wembanyama is now averaging 20.4 factors, 10.1 rebounds and three.2 blocks in 48 video games this season.

“I assume it’s not on the scouting report that he’s blocking photographs,” Spurs swingman Devin Vassell stated. “I assume they’ll be taught one in all nowadays.”