Victor Wembanyama joins legendary group of NBA players after posting another monstrous stat-line

Victor Wembanyama made history once again with a dominant performance, cementing his place among some of the greatest players in NBA history. In the San Antonio Spurs’ 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday, the 20-year-old phenom recorded a stat-line that had fans buzzing: 34 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. The win marked the Spurs’ fifth victory of the 2024 season, and Wembanyama’s performance in the game put him in the company of some of the league’s all-time greats.

Monday’s game was particularly significant for Wembanyama as it represented his 82nd career NBA game, effectively marking the completion of his first full season in the league. In just one full season, Wembanyama joined an elite group of players—Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Blake Griffin, and Sidney Wicks—becoming one of only a handful of players in NBA history to achieve at least 1,700 points, 800 rebounds, and 300 assists in their first 82 games.

Reflecting on his journey after playing an entire season, Wembanyama spoke about the mental preparation required to thrive in the NBA. “Approaching the game mentally is more important than approaching it even physically,” he said. “Of course, we’re going to take care of our bodies, but there are people whose jobs it is to take care of our bodies, make sure we’re healthy. To be great, you’ve just got to approach the game with that killer mentality.”

Wembanyama’s performance on Monday came just days after another monster game against the Utah Jazz. In that contest, he tallied 24 points, 16 rebounds, and seven blocks, marking his third career game with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and five three-pointers—a feat that is now the most in NBA history. His consistency in filling the stat sheet has made it clear that he’s more than just a prospect, but a bona fide superstar in the making.

One area where Wembanyama has shown significant growth is in his three-point shooting. After struggling early in the season with just 25% shooting from deep, he has since turned it around. Over the past several games, Wembanyama has hit 14 of his last 27 three-point attempts, including a career-high six three-pointers against the Kings. “I’m just taking better threes,” Wembanyama explained. “Yeah, of course it’s feeling better. I’m 20, I’m hoping for some years it’s going to keep feeling better and better. There is no reason for it to feel worse.”

Aside from his scoring and rebounding, Wembanyama’s defensive prowess continues to impress. Against the Kings, he delivered one of his trademark blocks—a jaw-dropping 360-degree rejection of Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis at the rim. His defensive versatility and shot-blocking ability remain a key part of his game, and his potential as a two-way player is one of the most exciting aspects of his future.

Teammates, especially veteran point guard Chris Paul, are constantly in awe of Wembanyama’s work ethic and drive to improve. Paul praised the 7-foot-3 center’s desire to get better, noting the extensive work Wembanyama puts in behind the scenes. “You know how talented he is, but his will to want to get better, his will to work on things—the more games we play, I think we all will get more and more familiar with each other,” Paul said.

The Spurs are now 5-6 on the season following their victory over the Kings, and Wembanyama’s growing chemistry with his teammates is expected to lead to even better results as the season progresses. The Spurs will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face the Washington Wizards at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.

For Wembanyama, this game was yet another step in what promises to be a Hall of Fame-worthy career. With his combination of size, skill, and work ethic, he continues to prove why he was the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and why he will be a key figure for the Spurs for years to come. As he fine-tunes his game and adjusts to the NBA’s grueling schedule, it’s clear that Wembanyama is on a trajectory to become one of the most dominant players the league has ever seen.