Victor Wembanyama says he wants to “be part of greatness” after becoming the first rookie to score at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game since NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal in 1993.
Forward Wembanyama’s 40-point haul helped San Antonio Spurs edge past New York Knicks 130-126, representing a career high for the 20-year-old and ensuring opposition player Jalen Brunson ended on the losing team despite amassing 61 points – also a career high.
“The more accolades I can get, the more I will,” said 7ft 4in Wembanyama. “I’ve just witnessed so much greatness [this season] and I want to be a part of it. It’s also one of my convictions to be unique and do things that have never been seen before.”
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Two Wembanyama free throws with 24 seconds left sent the game to overtime, in which he scored a three-pointer to give Spurs a four-point lead on their way to a thrilling victory.
Spurs are bottom of the Western Conference and Wembanyama was understandably encouraged by their defeat of a Knicks team sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference.
“I’m proud of us for controlling the game,” he said after Spurs’ third consecutive win. “Of course they came back in the third quarter, but that’s to be expected from a contender.
“It was a hard-fought battle. They’re a very good team – especially defensively – so it just shows our progression. We’ve been able to erase our weaknesses a little bit more and more throughout the season.
“The crowd is kind of the extra man in these situations. We need any type of support we can get. We’re a young team and we need to get better every night.”
40/20/7
Victor Wembanyama just became the first rookie with 40/20 since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993. Wemby also had 7 assists. Remarkable performance by one of the NBA’s greatest players already. pic.twitter.com/kvR4Cc3PDd
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 30, 2024
Spurs v Knicks: Wembanyama ‘special’
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was suitably impressed with Wembanyama and his team. “It just shows what he’s going to be when he understands all the physicality that’s coming at him all of the time and what to do about it,” he said.
“Fortunately, he’s also a hell of an instinctive passer and he’s willing to do what he needs to do in that regard. He’s pretty special.
“If it was earlier in the year, we would not have sustained our own execution, pace and that sort of thing. You can see the maturity they have developed throughout the season.
“Playing against a very physical team, they gave what they got and stayed strong when New York made a heck of a run. To me, that’s the best part of the game. It shows that progression to have what it takes to win a game in the NBA.”
