Rookie Victor Wembanyama has shone in the NBA and put up a very rare statistic. Maxi Kleber was happy about a win with Dallas.
The French prodigy achieved a special kind of triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs’ 122:99 win over the Toronto Raptors. The last newcomer to date with such numbers in the North American professional basketball league was the Spurs legend David Robinson 1989/90.
Wembanyama, 20, is the first NBA professional in more than three years to post double-digit scores in three categories – including blocks. The last time Clint Capela achieved this was in January 2021, when the Swiss had 13 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks for his Atlanta Hawks.
“All-round talented player”
“He did a little bit of everything,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich: “He’s an all-round talented player.” Wembanyama (2.24 m) is only the fourth NBA professional after “Admiral” Robinson, Mark Eaton and Ralph Sampson to achieve a triple-double with blocks as a rookie as a rookie.
“Wemby” became the fifth youngest NBA player to record a triple-double (16 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) against the Detroit Pistons on January 10th. The Spurs got their first win against Toronto after seven defeats, but are still last in the Western Conference with an 11:43 record.
Glue with Dallas successful
National player Maxi Kleber (5 points) won with the Dallas Mavericks 112:104 against the Washington Wizards. Isaiah Hartenstein was not in the hosts’ squad for the New York Knicks’ 103:105 loss to the Houston Rockets.
World champion Daniel Theis only played a good five minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers and remained without a point in the 100:121 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The T-Wolves moved into first place in the West with the win.