Victor Wembanyama delivered a historic performance with 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Dallas Mavericks 112-111 on Wednesday. Despite setting career highs in scoring and rebounding, the Spurs star believes he has plenty of room to improve.
“I can still do more,” Wembanyama said after the game. “My shots weren’t falling tonight and that forces me into a style of play that is exhausting. I can do it. I mean, the proof is here.”
The 22-year-old shot 16-of-28 from the field and made 19 of 23 free throws, while also recording two steals and finishing with a game-high plus-23 rating.
Wembanyama revealed that he had not been feeling well recently but felt stronger physically against Dallas.
“I haven’t been feeling great lately. I’ve been sick for a while and today felt like I got my legs back. So it should be more like this more often,” he explained.
He added that he was still recovering but no longer experienced the weakness associated with a virus.
Despite his dominant performance around the basket, Wembanyama was unhappy with his shooting from the perimeter. He made just one of eight three-point attempts and believes his overall offensive production will improve.
“I can be much better if my shots fall. But it’s, I know it’s just a matter of time,” Wembanyama said.
“I’m shooting my worst percentages in three of my career, so I know it’s not going to stay that way. It was really good on one part of my offensive game tonight and really bad on the other. So I’m expecting it to be much better when both things click.”
Wembanyama also discussed the physical battle with Dallas and identified an unexpected moment as one that stood out from his historic night.
“The moment that stands out for some reason, I’m just, I don’t have any agenda when I say it, but it’s when I rolled my ankle,” he said.
“It’s a very strong moment because both teams were really fighting at this moment and they stepped up their physicality and forced us to step up ours.”
Asked about his condition after the incident, Wembanyama said he felt fine but would see how his ankle responded the following day.
He also praised De’Aaron Fox for his defense against Kyrie Irving on Dallas’ final possession, while expressing relief that Dylan Harper secured the decisive rebound.
“Yeah, he was great. I mean, he did everything he was supposed to,” Wembanyama said of Fox.
Wembanyama’s 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the first half also made NBA history. He became the first player in the play-by-play era, dating back to 1996-97, to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a single half.
The Spurs have now won six consecutive games and improved to 6-2. They will look to extend their winning streak when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday, November 6.
