San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama achieved career highs with 52 points and 24 rebounds, alongside 8 blocks, in a 112-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. This performance marks the first time a player has achieved at least 50 points and 20 rebounds in a one-point win since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964.
Wembanyama's dominant outing included 29 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in the first half alone, making him the first player since the 1996-97 season to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in a single half. He is one of nine players in NBA history to have a 50-point, 20-rebound game, and the first since Luka Doncic in 2022. His performance also places him in rare company with Chamberlain and Bob McAdoo as the only players to achieve this with five or more blocks.
Despite the standout statistics, Wembanyama expressed that he can still improve. "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 stated.
He finished the game shooting 16-for-28 from the field, including seven dunks, but struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-for-8 on three-pointers. Wembanyama also made one of his final four free throws with 24 seconds left to secure the Spurs' one-point win.
The Spurs have now won six consecutive games, sweeping a three-game homestand. Wembanyama has averaged 32.5 points during this streak, even while recovering from a recent virus. "I haven’t been feeling great lately. 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," he said.
This season, Wembanyama is averaging career highs in points per game (29.0), rebounds (12.4), and blocks (4.5).