Victor Wembanyama Makes NBA History With Triple-Double
Victor Wembanyama’s strengths far outweigh his flaws. Wenbanyama, 20, is one of the most popular players in the NBA — and for the right reasons. Most recently, the San Antonio Spurs center posted a triple-double, his third career triple-double, in a 127-125 comeback win over the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento on Monday night.
Wembanyama and the Spurs won the game in comeback fashion. His latest career milestone smoothed a slow start early in the 2024-25 NBA season. Wembanyama’s most recent triple-double helped him join David Robinson (four), Dejounte Murray (three), and Alvin Robertson as the only players in Spurs history to roll up 30-point triple-doubles.
Wembanyama went 5-of-9 from three-point range, and picked up three blocks, becoming just the third player in NBA history behind James Harden and Vince Carter to tally a 30-point triple-double with five three-pointers or more and 3+ blocks, according to ESPN Research. Wembanyama’s far from a flashy player, as his scoring speaks for itself. Read on for further details.
Victor Wembanyama’s Triple-Double
Victor Wembanyama’s third career triple-double helped him contribute to his NBA resume, which is a work in progress, as he’s only 20 years old. Wembanyama’s triple-double helped him join the league’s elite company and then helped him become the first San Antonio Spurs player to hit five three-pointers in a triple-double performance. The 20-year-old joined DeMarcus Cousins as the only NBA centers to have produced such numbers in a single game, according to ESPN.
Wembanyama Makes History
Victor Wembanyama made NBA and San Antonio Spurs history by recording a triple-double in an away game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Wembanyama recorded 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, along with three blocks and one steal, in the Spurs’ close 127-125 win over the Kings. Wembanyama shot 64.7% from the field and 55.6% from the three-point line.
Wembanyama has averaged 24.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season while shooting 48.4% from the field and 35.0% from the three-point line. Wembanyama’s regular-season averages are a sign of both short- and long-term success as a center as long as he stays healthy and maintains consistency.
Wembanyama Could Improve
Victor Wembanyama made history for the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA, but like everybody else, he has his strengths and flaws. Wembanyama, a 7-foot-3, 235-pound French big man, is best known for his defense, rim presence, above-the-rim threat, mobility, shot making, and ball handling. However, Wembanyama’s flaws, such as his height, imperfect role, efficiency, turnover issues, and injuries, could be improved for overall success.
Victor Wembanyama’s triple-double made news on Monday night. However, Spurs Interim Head Coach Mitch Johnson didn’t hold back in describing Wembanyama’s performance early in the Spurs and Sacramento Kings’ game, as San Antonio surrendered 25 points off 16 turnovers in the first three quarters. Wembanyama was held responsible for a team-high five of those 16 turnovers.
Johnson explained to ESPN, “I thought he had some very poor moments in the first three quarters in terms of fundamentals and solid basketball, and it’s a testament to him and his ability to lock in,” Johnson explained. “I thought in the fourth quarter he was a man. I thought he dominated. Dominating the fundamentals for him — the catches, the passes, the solid stuff — it’s still spectacular. But when he does that, he’s a load.”
Johnson’s explanation to ESPN was fair enough, as Victor Wembanyama has drawn criticism in the past as a 7-foot-3 center who gravitates away from the paint to play a more perimeter-oriented game. Four of Wembanyama’s turnovers were committed in the first three quarters, so even though he locked in to help the Spurs to a win over the Kings in clutch fashion, there’s room for improvement for his overall shot diet.
