San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama put on a show on Monday night, recording his second career triple-double with a stunning 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in a 122-99 win over the Toronto Raptors. The 20-year-old French center became the first player since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1996 to achieve such a feat, and only the fourth rookie in NBA history to notch a triple-double with blocks.
Wembanyama Dominates on Both Ends of the Floor
Wembanyama was unstoppable on both ends of the floor, shooting 10 of 14 from the field, 2 of 4 from 3-point range and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. He also added five assists and two steals, while committing only seven turnovers in 29 minutes of action. He showcased his versatility and skill, scoring from inside and outside, passing out of double-teams, and protecting the rim with authority.
The Raptors had no answer for Wembanyama, who blocked shots from all angles and positions. He swatted away seven shots in the first half alone, setting a new career-high. He denied a dunk attempt by Scottie Barnes in the third quarter, and secured his triple-double with a rejection of Gradey Dick’s putback in the fourth quarter. He received a standing ovation from the Spurs bench and the crowd as he checked out of the game with 6:35 left and a 25-point lead.
Spurs Snap Seven-Game Losing Streak with Balanced Attack
Wembanyama was not the only Spurs player who had a big night. Devin Vassell scored 25 points on 10 of 15 shooting, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Keldon Johnson added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Blake Wesley chipped in 15 points off the bench. The Spurs shot 51.1% from the field and 40.6% from 3-point land, while holding the Raptors to 40.7% and 28.6%, respectively.
The Spurs snapped a seven-game losing streak with the convincing victory, improving to 19-34 on the season. They are still 13th in the Western Conference, but they have shown signs of improvement since acquiring Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. The 7-foot-3 phenom has averaged 20.3 points, 10 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals and a league-leading three blocks per game, while shooting 46.4% from the floor and 31.6% from 3-point distance. He is the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award and a potential future superstar in the league.
Raptors Fall to Sixth Place in the East with Third Straight Loss
The Raptors suffered their third straight loss, dropping to 29-24 on the season. They are now sixth in the Eastern Conference, half a game behind the fifth-place Miami Heat and one game ahead of the seventh-place Charlotte Hornets. They have struggled with injuries and inconsistency, especially on the defensive end, where they rank 20th in the league in points allowed per game.
The Raptors were led by Fred VanVleet, who had 21 points and six assists. Kelly Olynyk added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Jakob Poeltl had 14 points and nine rebounds against his former team. Barnes, the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, had a quiet night with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists on 4 of 13 shooting. The Raptors were outrebounded 49-38 and outscored 54-36 in the paint by the Spurs.
The Raptors will try to bounce back on Wednesday, when they host the Boston Celtics. The Spurs will continue their road trip on Thursday, when they visit the Brooklyn Nets.
