Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs delivered an unforgettable performance Friday night in a potentially penultimate game of his standout rookie season.
Wembanyama scored 17 points in three minutes, leading his team to a thrilling 121-120 win over the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets aimed to clinch the number-one seed in the Western Conference, but Wembanyama and the Spurs played spoiler.
Trailing by 21 points midway through the third quarter, the game appeared out of reach for the Spurs. Yet, the 7-foot-4 centre, dubbed a “cyborg” by fans, ignited a remarkable comeback that electrified spectators.
This scoring explosion from the 20-year-old centre underscores his immense talent and potential future as an MVP. The game concluded with a buzzer-beater from teammate DeVonte Graham, clinching the win.
Despite the Spurs’ challenging season record of 21-60, the team’s progress, particularly after the All-Star break, has been notable, much of it credited to Wembanyama’s development. He ended the game with 34 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.
With the season-ending after one more game against Detroit on Sunday, it’s unclear if Wembanyama will play. Nonetheless, anticipation for his second NBA season is growing, with fans and analysts keen to see how this young star will advance.