Victor Wembanyama will play Saturday evening against the Phoenix Suns. The Rookie of the Year favorite was not listed on the San Antonio Spurs’ injury report for their last game. Wembanyama hasn’t missed consecutive games lately either. The No. 1 pick appeared in 62 of 70 games this year, dealing with an occasional injury problem in his first season.
He averages 20.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 blocks, shooting a 46/32/80 split, making a compelling case for winning the ROY honor and Defensive Player of the Year. However, the sad record of Spurs (15-55) dampens its hopes of achieving this last objective.
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What happened to Victor Wembanyama?
Wembanyama’s last injury absence was due to an ankle issue on March 9 against the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs surprisingly won this game against the Steph Curry-less Warriors by 126-113 on the road. It was their first and only victory in Wembanyama’s eight-match absence.
Before his ankle injury, Wembanyama suffered from shoulder and hip pain.
Victor Wembanyama vs. Phoenix Suns Stats
Victor Wembanyama did the Suns his favorite opponent in his young career. The French phenom guided the Spurs to a 2-0 record against Western Conference contenders. Wembanyama had 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in those two outings.
He had a record double-double of 38 points and 10 rebounds in the last meeting between the Spurs and Suns on November 2. San Antonio won this game 132-121. Wembanyama dominated the Suns from the start, dropping 20 points in the first half alone.
The Suns did not refute the Frenchman’s attacks despite the presence of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The Spurs led this game with 27 straight points and never trailed.
Wembanyama finished the night shooting 12 of 20, including 3 of 6 from deep and 5 of 5 from the free throw line.
Victor Wembamyama tied the records of legends like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal against the Suns
Victor Wembanyama’s 38-point outing against the Suns on November 2 allowed him to tie several records. He became the second rookie after Shaquille O’Neal (1992) to score more than 100 points and make at least 10 blocks in his first five games.
Wembanyama also became the third teenager to record at least 35 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. NBA history. Kevin Durant and LeBron James were the other two players to achieve this feat.
Wembanyama was just starting out and has come a long way since then. It will be interesting to see what he has in store for Phoenix this time around as the series moves to San Antonio for the first time.
