The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Toronto Raptors last night (2/12) behind a triple-double from rookie Victor Wembanyama.
It wasn’t your average triple-double, though.
Wembanyama put up 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks versus the Raptors, becoming the first player since Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (January 2021) to record a triple-double with blocks.
“I felt great today,” Wembanyama said after the Spurs-Raptors game. “Great rhythm. Started the game strong. I guess it’s just the NBA, you know. We’ve got ups and downs in terms of shape and today was an up day.”
Wembanyama is the first player to record a 20-point triple-double with blocks since Anthony Davis had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks for the New Orleans Pelicans in March 2018.
Wembanyama is also the first rookie with a 20-point triple-double with blocks since Spurs legend David Robinson had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocks in February 1990.
“I had to make that extra effort tonight because less and less people will go at me,” Wembanyama said. “Yeah, intimidation I can see it happening.”
The Spurs improved to 11-43 after beating the Raptors. They are in last place in the West.
Wembanyama is averaging 20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.2 blocks on the season while shooting 46.8% from the field, 31.9% from beyond the arc and 81.1% from the free-throw line. He leads the NBA in blocks and blocks per game.
“Victor Wembanyama is the player who’s going to play in this league for the next 15 years. We need to figure out how to attack and how to play against him,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “Definitely a player who’s unique with his size and shot-blocking ability. We’ve got to do a much better job of figuring out how to play against that.”
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