Friday night in Minneapolis, Victor Wembanyama did something that goes beyond simply “playing great basketball”. The Spurs beat the Timberwolves 115-108 to take a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series, and he finished with 39 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. But the numbers alone do not tell the whole story.
That was only Wemby’s seventh career playoff game, yet he reached a milestone that only three other players in NBA history had ever achieved: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal. That is, 35+ points, 15+ rebounds and 5+ blocks in a single postseason game.
It feels good to be mentioned with those great champions. In the fourth quarter I had to bring out some things Hakeem taught me… especially that spinning fadeaway over Rudy
Victor Wembanyama
But there is one detail that separates Wemby from those three giants: he is the only one of the four to do it while shooting better than 70% from the field. Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq all got there. None of them, however, shot the way he did Friday night – 13-of-18 from the field, 10-of-12 at the line.
I’m built for this. I love all of this more than anything
Victor Wembanyama
After the game, De’Aaron Fox made it clear:
He steps on the floor and produces. We’re witnessing greatness
De’Aaron Fox
The Spurs now lead 2-1 and are playing with the freedom of a team that has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Wolves must solve the biggest problem in this series, and that problem is named Victor Wembanyama – one that, so far, has no answer.
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