Victor Wembanyama looked like the world’s best playmaker, setting up teammates with slick passes on the break and in the post.
The 7-foot-3 French rookie phenom scored 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 130-108 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick last summer, accomplished the feat in 21 minutes. In NBA history, only Russell Westbrook had double-digit points, rebounds, and assists in a 20-minute performance for Oklahoma in 2014.
“Of course, winning is everything,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t realize it was the second fastest in NBA history. It matters to me. I’m not the type to talk about nothing. This is the type of statement we want to make as a team, and I want to make as a player.”
Wembanyama, 20, is the league’s youngest player to record a triple-double without a turnover since the 1977-78 season. Andre Iguodala was a year older when he did it for Philadelphia in 2005.
“We’re asking him to do a lot, and he’s up for it,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said. 
Wembanyama shot 6 of 16 from the field, missing all four three-pointers, and surpassed his previous season high of seven assists.
“He’s just a very good passer,” coach Gregg Popovich explained. “He was a good passer before he got here.”
Wembanyama’s most recent sensational game was against the franchise that was hoping to sign him. Detroit had the league’s worst record last season, but did not receive the first pick in the draft lottery.
“It’s strange to imagine a different future and what it could be,” he explained.
The Spurs (6-30) came into the game with the NBA’s second-worst record, trailing only the lowly Pistons, and a five-game losing streak.
“It’s just starting to click a little more,” San Antonio guard Tre Jones explained.
Detroit (3-35) has lost six straight games after snapping an NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak.
“The focus and discipline weren’t there,” coach Monty Williams admitted. “There’s nobody to look at other than me, not having guys ready to play.”
San Antonio took control in the first quarter, leading 31-19, and the Pistons didn’t put up much of a fight for the rest of the night.
“It’s a lack of energy and effort,” said Detroit center Jalen Duren, who scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. “We’re the type of team where we need energy the whole game.”
The Spurs had eight players score in double figures, including Keldon Johnson (17 points) and Devin Vassell (16).
Detroit’s Jaden Ivey scored 19 points despite missing 11 of 18 shots, while Bojan Bogdanovic also scored 19 points.
Leave a Reply