Victor Wembanyama’s NBA debut: Spurs rookie flashes late, finishes with 15 factors, 5 rebounds

It is lastly time. Victor Wembanyama, the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James, made his regular-season debut Wednesday evening because the San Antonio Spurs misplaced to the Dallas Mavericks, 126-119. His debut was comparatively quiet due to foul hassle, however he completed with 15 factors, 5 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.

Wembanyama’s debut was anticipated for greater than a yr, particularly after a pair of exhibition video games within the Las Vegas space final October when Wembanyama went head-to-head with one other high 2023 NBA Draft decide, Scoot Henderson. Wembanyama dazzled in his French league video games earlier than heading stateside for June’s draft and taking part in in Las Vegas Summer season League and the NBA preseason. Every trip, he added one other spotlight — many instances doing issues we aren’t used to seeing on an NBA basketball courtroom.

Victor Wembanyama scores first official NBA factors

In fact, Wembanyama would rating his first factors on a deep ball. He additionally had two early rebounds and one large block in his first 5 minutes on the courtroom.

Then, he adopted that up with one other triple within the first quarter earlier than being subbed out with two fouls.

Wembanyama had a quiet first half after being restricted with two fouls. He scored six factors to go together with three rebounds, one help and one block in 12 minutes within the first half of his debut.

Victor Wembanyama slowed by foul hassle, clutch in crunch time

Wembanyama’s debut felt gradual in the course of the sport due to foul hassle. He needed to sit for stretches as he racked up 5 fouls. With round seven minutes left within the recreation, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich put the rookie again in, and he didn’t disappoint.

Wembanyama scored off an alley-oop from Devin Vassell, then snagged a defensive rebound and scored a pull-up 3-pointer on the opposite finish. He added a dunk and jumper.

Full updates from Victor Wembanyama’s NBA debut