Basketball: Victor Wembanyama sets a new record by scoring 40 points against the New York Knicks
Frenchman Victor Wembanyama achieved a historic performance in the NBA on Friday March 29, accumulating 40 points and 20 rebounds during the San Antonio Spurs' victory against the New York Knicks. He is the first
rookie
in the North American league to achieve this feat since Shaquille O'Neal in 1993.
Victor Wembanyama during the match between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks, March 29, 2024. © Getty Images via AFP / RONALD CORTES
By: RFI with AFP
Advertisement
Read more
Victor Wembanyama continues to make his mark in the NBA. The Frenchman, the new prodigy of the North American league since his transfer in the summer of 2023, broke his points record with 40 stacked units during the victory of the San Antonio Spurs against the New York Knicks (130-126 after overtime) , Friday March 29.
“Wemby”, aged 20, even became the first “rookie” (NBA debutant) to accumulate more than 40 points and 20 rebounds in a game since Shaquille O'Neal in 1993. The Frenchman finished the game with 40 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists and a block. Despite a delicate 2023/2024 season for the San Antonio Spurs, last in the Western Conference with their 18th victory of the season only on March 29, Wembanyama continues to string together individual feats amid the collective slump of his team.
Wembanyama's record already dated November 2, 2023, when he compiled 38 points against Kevin Durant's Phoenix Suns. This time, the 2.24 m Frenchman, with unique agility for his size, stole the show from Knicks leader Jalen Brunson, who scored 61 points, his record, one unit shy of his franchise record. held by Carmelo Anthony (62 points in 2014).
While the Spurs have nothing left to play at the end of the season, Wembanyama took advantage of this match with overtime to delight his audience and score the baskets, including a long-range shot to give the Texans a four-point lead at one minute from the end of the match.
🇫🇷 𝐖𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐌𝐀.
THE PERF. XXL OF THE NIGHT 👽
40 PTS (career record)
20 REB
7 AST
4 3P
Victory for @Spurs 126-130 pic.twitter.com/KdDwCQnbAF
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) March 30, 2024
“
Not close to the top, but I’m on the right track
”
At the top of the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves scored a big blow with a success against the defending champion Denver (111-98), which allows them to climb to 2nd place in the standings, where the fight for first place is relentless. Anthony Edwards scored 25 points, Mike Conley 23 and Frenchman Rudy Gobert 21 for Minnesota compared to 32 points from Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets star.
“
I've seen so many great things in the NBA, I want to be a part of it
,” Wembanyama said after the Spurs' victory. “
I've always wanted it, but it's even more the case now that I see that I can already fight with these players. I'm not close to the top but I'm on the right track. I know it, I will get there soon. (...) I have a certain pride in doing new things, trying to fill out my CV too. It’s always something I try to do, to be different, unique, to leave an impression on people too
,” he continued.
“
He is special
,” commented his coach Gregg Popovich, at the head of a team in reconstruction which hopes to quickly return to the forefront in the wake of his phenomenon. Before dreaming of a better ranking in the NBA next season, Victor Wembanyama should first return to the
French team
this
summer to shine during the
Paris
Olympic Games
(July 26-August 11).
Read alsoBasketball: LeBron James is the first NBA player to pass the 40,000 points milestone
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
Basketball
France