Victor Wembanyama tallied a 27-point double-double in a sensational performance despite his San Antonio Spurs losing to the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League on Sunday night.
The French prospect endured a difficult debut in Las Vegas as he struggled in the loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday - but his follow-up performance suggested the hype is real. Against the Blazers, Wembanyama showcased his all-round ability as he scored 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting to go with 12 rebounds and three blocks as the Spurs fell 85-80 to Portland.
The first overall pick in last month’s 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama entered the league as one of the most hyped prospects in history. The 7-foot-4 star was heavily criticised following his difficult outing against Charlotte, but he was pleased he hit back against Portland, even if he is still waiting for his first win in Spurs colours.
“I wish we could have won the game,” Wembanyama said. “I think I could have done more to help my team win the game. We got to keep learning. We haven't been playing our best for like three quarters. Then in the fourth quarter, we were really dominating. It shows the personality of the team.
“I think personally, it's normal to get better every game. Two days ago was my first game.”
Wembanyama perhaps unsurprisingly struggled in his first taste of NBA action in Sin City on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. He shot 2-for-13 from the field, missing seven of his first eight shots as he struggled to shoot the ball and often appeared overpowered in the paint as the Spurs fell 76-68.
The Spurs were down by 16 points entering the fourth quarter against the Blazers, but Wembanyama and co. cut the lead to one with just under two minutes remaining following a three from the 19-year-old. Portland held on to secure the win, but Wembanyama proved to his doubters that Friday’s clash with the Hornets can be dismissed.
Wembanyama appears to be putting his rustiness of the first game down to natural inexperience as well as a busy - and very different - recent schedule. He insisted: “Like this past month, I think basketball wasn't even 50 percent of my schedule. I can't stand it. I know it's a special moment in my life, but I'm just glad it's over honestly. I just want to hoop, workout and lift.”
He is solely focused on preparing for his rookie season with the Spurs, adding: “I just know that as I'm not playing in the World Cup, I’ve got two to three months - two to three great months - that are coming up and they're going to change my life.”
While it is unclear if Wembanyama will play any more Summer League games, the Spurs return to action on Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards. The French star may want to take part as the Wizards drafted his Metropolitans 92 teammate Bilal Coulibaly seventh overall.
