It's not easy to make an 11-46 team must-see television, but Victor Wembanyama is doing that for the San Antonio Spurs right now.
In their 123-118 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, the Spurs rookie phenom put up 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks in 31 minutes.
Wembanyama's performance earned high praise from LeBron James, who called him "special" after the game:
LeBron James @KingJamesThat kid is SPECIAL!! 👽
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportBron and Wemby showed love on social media after the game last night 🔥 <a href="">
According to the NBA, Wembanyama is both the youngest player to record a 5x5 game and he did it in the fewest minutes played in such a game.
NBA @NBAVictor Wembanyama is the YOUNGEST player in NBA history to record a 5x5 (PTS-REB-AST-STL-BLK) game 📊<br><br>27 PTS<br>10 REB<br>8 AST<br>5 BLK<br>5 STL<br><br>Wembanyama completed this 5x5 game in 30 minutes and 55 seconds, the fewest minutes ever played in such a game 🤯 <a href="">
James wasn't the only one in awe of what Wembanyama has shown he's capable of doing already at 20 years old. Fans and analysts had a lot to say about it, as well:
Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBAVictor Wembanyama got his first 5x5 and the 15th in NBA history:<br><br>27 points<br>10 rebounds<br>8 assists<br>5 steals<br>5 blocks<br><br>At age 20 he's the youngest ever to do it (Andrei Kirilenko was 22). He also did it in 31 minutes, the fewest minutes ever (34 by Marcus Camby). <a href="">
Zachary Colwell @zachcolwellPtRIf you didn't know it already, last night was the nail in the coffin . . . the 2024 NBA Rookie Of The Year will be Victor Wembanyama.<br><br>Give credit to Chet, he has had a truly special rookie year, but unfortunately for him he went up against a record-breaking rookie from France. <a href="">
Bally Sports San Antonio @BallySportsSAVictor Wembanyama and Michael Jordan<br><br>That's it...that's the list<a href="">@wemby</a> | <a href="">@spurs</a> | <a href="">#PorVida</a> | <a href="">@BallySports</a> <a href="">
Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_LopezVictor Wembanyama in his last two games: <br><br>46 points<br>23 rebounds<br>12 assists<br>10 blocks<br>10 steals<br><br>He's the first player in NBA history to average a 5x5 over a two-game span (since blocks became official in 1973-74).
Morten Stig Jensen @msjnbaWhile on the subject of Victor Wembanyama, here are his past 16 games.<br><br>22.4 points<br>10.0 rebounds<br>4.2 assists<br>3.9 blocks<br>1.7 steals<br>47.4 FG%<br>37.0 3FG% (5.1 att.)<br>82.8 FT% (5.4 att.)<br><br>All in.... just 28.5 minutes per game.<br><br>I don't even have the balls to adjust those to Per36.
Draco 🚀 @dracodznsvictor wembanyama will be the goat
The Sports Forum @DenverForumBEAST MODE 😤
There was some discussion this week about the future face of the NBA in the wake of James' comments during All-Star weekend about not having much time left in his career.
It's a great time for star power in the league, with players like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having already established themselves as superstars.
There are also the up-and-coming players who look like superstars, including Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards and Chet Holmgren.
But Wembanyama is reaching a level where he could clearly be the best player from the entire group. He's averaging 20.6 points on 46.6 percent shooting, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in just 28.5 minutes this season.
There's still a long way for the Spurs to go before they are challenging for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they can feel confident about the future knowing they have one of the best young players the NBA has ever seen on their roster.
