This is what we call a complete match. French basketball player Victor Wembanyama actively participated in the victory of the San Antonio Spurs, Monday February 12, on the floor of the Toronto Raptors by compiling 27 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. To this “triple double” – the second of his NBA career after the one achieved a month ago against the Detroit Pistons (16 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists), are added five assists, all in twenty-nine minutes of play.
A “triple double” is achieved by obtaining in the same game more than ten units in three statistical areas, most often points, rebounds and assists. Doing it with more than ten blocks is much rarer, and has only been achieved by around thirty players in the history of the North American league. The last one dates from January 22, 2021 when Atlanta player Clint Capela, that day against Minnesota, scored 13 points, took 19 rebounds and made 10 blocks.
With these 10 blocks in the match, Victor Wembanyama beats his personal record established at eight in November 2023 against Memphis, and, with his 2.26 m (shoes included), he dominates the league in this category with an average of 3, 2 blocks per game.
Heir to David Robinson in San Antonio
Aged 20, Victor Wembanyama is only the fourth rookie (beginner) in NBA history to achieve this kind of triple double. One of the great specialists was Spurs pivot David Robinson, of whom the Frenchman is the direct heir in the Texan franchise. Robinson was also the last rookie to have validated such a performance, in 1990, before totaling nine at the end of his career.
Visibly out of breath in recent weeks, Victor Wembanyama experienced a spectacular improvement on Monday, like his dunks and counterattacks which disgusted Toronto, and he finished as the match’s top scorer thanks to remarkable shooting efficiency: 10 successful shots on 14 attempts (71% success while he averages 47%) including 2 out of 4 from 3 points, and 5 out of 6 from free throws.
With this success, the Spurs won for the first time since January 27, after a series of seven defeats. With this eleventh victory (for 43 losses), they nevertheless remain last in the Western Conference.
