Spurs’ Wembanyama pours in 40 points in just 26 minutes against shorthanded Lakers
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LOS ANGELES — Victor Wembanyama needed only 26 minutes to rack up 40 points and 12 rebounds Tuesday night, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 136-108 victory over the depleted Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
The 7-foot-4 rookie scored 25 of those points during a blistering first quarter, the third-highest single-quarter total in franchise history behind George Gervin (33) and David Robinson (28). He finished 13-for-20 from the field, 4-for-6 from beyond the arc and 10-for-12 at the free throw line, matching his season high in scoring.
According to ESPN Research, Wembanyama became just the fifth player in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) to post at least 40 points in 26 or fewer minutes. He also joined Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing as the only players ever to deliver a 40-point double-double in that limited playing time.
San Antonio, sitting second in the Western Conference, removed Wembanyama for good late in the third quarter with the game well in hand. The rookie lobbied to return but accepted the decision, noting, “We’ve got to think long term.” The Spurs fly to San Francisco for the second half of a back-to-back Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers were without four regular starters. Center Deandre Ayton was a late scratch because of knee soreness, while Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart had already been ruled out. Head coach JJ Redick said Wembanyama “put his imprint on the game” early with relentless drives and confident three-point shooting.
San Antonio led by 29 at halftime after Wembanyama’s 37-point outburst through two quarters. He added a single three-pointer in the third before taking a seat, jokingly motioning toward the scorer’s table in the fourth as if ready to re-enter. The rookie said he was confident he could have surpassed his career-best 50 points had he played normal minutes, but emphasized the priority is “the W.”
Source: ESPN
