It was a legendary performance, even Victor Wembanyama had unreasonably high standards: a career high 52 points and 24 rebounds, plus eight blocked shots.
It’s been 52 years since a player put up a streak like that — and Wembanyama did that despite battling a virus and covering his ankle in the fourth quarter.
The Spurs needed every minute of Wembley’s epic playoff to beat Dallas, 112-111.
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Wembanyama went 16-28 from the floor and did a lot of damage at the free throw line, where he was 19-of-23. His only knock of the night was that he shot 1-of-8 from 3, but he realized that he was on the decline. Wemby finished 14-of-18 in the paint.
“I can do more,” Wembanyama said postgame, per the Associated Press. “I mean, my shots aren’t falling tonight and it’s forcing me into a consuming mode of play. I can do this. The proof is here. I can do it, but I can be much better if my shots are falling. I know it’s just a matter of time.”
Wemby started the night hot early, had 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the first half – the first player since the era began in 1996 with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a half.
After dropping the first two games of the season, the Spurs have rattled off five straight wins and Wembanyama has inserted himself into the very first conference MVP next to Luka Doncic.