28 October 2023 , 14:20
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Victor Wembanyama starred for the San Antonio Spurs in the second-ever NBA game of his career on Friday night.
Wembanyama helped the Spurs claim a 126-122 win over the Houston Rockets in overtime at Frost Bank Center. The 19-year-old scored 21 points with 12 rebounds and one assist, as well as three blocks and two steals, to help San Antonio get their first win of the season.
The 2023 NBA Draft saw Wembanyama selected by the Spurs with the No.1 overall pick. The French teenager is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects to enter the league for many a year and after starting with a defeat, he claimed a starring role in victory.
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The Spurs scored 35 points in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 111-111 and send the contest to overtime. Wembanyama and Co. outscored the Rockets 15-11 to win the game and move to 1-1 after the first two games of the year.
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One moment that stood out during Wembanyama’s performance came in the first quarter when he performed a dunk to get his second bucket of the game. As Keldon Johnson attempted a lay-up pass, Wembanyama and teammate Jeremy Sochan leaped in the air to complete the dunk, but the rookie got there first to get the score.
After the bucket, Wembanyama looked at Sochan with a wry smile on his face. The score would be one of seven field goals completed by the first overall pick against the Rockets.
During the game, Wembanyama showed exactly why there has been so much excitement around his NBA entrance. One particular moment came in the fourth quarter when the game was nearing its conclusion.
As Houston completed a turnover and rushed up the court to complete a score, Wembanyama managed to complete a crucial block to deny Jabari Smith Jr. Seconds later, Wembanyama performed another block to stop Smith from getting the bucket.
After the game, Wembanyama reflected on playing a part in his first-ever win in the NBA. The teenager played in France for Metropolitans 92 last season before being drafted, and expressing his delight at helping the Spurs beat the Rockets.
Victor Wembanyama scored 21 points to help the San Antonio Spurs defeat the Houston Rockets in overtime (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)“I really, really love winning,” Wembanyama said, via . “It’s what I love most in life. So, of course, it felt great.
“Coming back in the locker room, (coach Gregg Popovich) acknowledged that it was my first-ever NBA win. It just made me proud for a moment, proud of myself.
“Of course, it’s just one win and we’ve got a whole lot more to come and a whole lot more tough games to come.”