Victor Wembanyama’s NBA career so far has had the feeling of watching a velociraptor opens a series of doorsand surpassed another on Friday.
With a game against the Denver Nuggets coming down to the final possession, Wembanyama was tasked with defending three-time MVP Nikola Jokić with a one-point lead. Jokić, perhaps the most offensively effective player of a generation, resorted to his signature Sombor Shuffle move to score the winning basket.
The play, which has regularly baffled some of the NBA’s best paint defenders, did not fool Wembanyama, who matched Jokić step for step and had a ready hand for the shot. Jokić had to force a perimeter pass in response, which was intercepted by Devin Vassell for an easy layup.
It’s really hard to understate how huge that game is for Wembanyama and the Spurs, who improved their record to 18-16 with the win. Wembanyama has looked special since he first put on a Spurs jersey, but it’s clear at this point that he’s taken a step forward after one of the most statistically impressive rookie years in NBA history.
“I think it’s better this year than last year,” Jokić said. after the game. “I think he’ll get even better with experience, how his body is changing… I think he’s unique and will be remembered forever.”
Wembanyama currently leads all NBA players in every block-related statistic imaginable (as well as actions)along with three deflections per game (23rd in the NBA, in a statistic where perimeter players fare better). Despite having the third-highest usage rate in the league, his offensive efficiency has also taken a step forward, with gains in field goal percentage (.465 to .480), three-point percentage (.325 to .355 ), turnovers. per game (4.4 to 3.8) and fouls per game (2.6 to 2.2).
He’s basically the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year as he carries and succeeds with a huge load on offense, according to stats through Friday. In Friday’s game, he finished with 35 points on 14 of 22 shooting, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and seven turnovers.
Stats aside, he keeps doing ridiculous things. Like taking triples from the logo just because you can.
Friday was the 100th game of Wembanyama’s career. As Spurs’ Jordan Howenstine scored on XIn his first 100 games he has:
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more points than LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony
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more rebounds than Anthony Davis, Patrick Ewing and Joel Embiid
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more blocks than Shaquille O’Neal, Dikembe Mutombo and Hakeem Olajuwon
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more three-pointers than Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Trae Young
We are running out of precedents to evaluate the beginnings of Wembanyama’s career. The guy who entered the NBA with unlimited potential already looks like an elite player at 20 years old, and there’s legitimately no telling how far he could go.