Wembanyama creates history but LeBron James guides Lakers to win
“To me, it’s secondary,' said Victor Wembanyama on comparisons with NBA legends
Victor Wembanyama etched his name into the NBA record books by achieving a rare "5x5" milestone, but his remarkable performance couldn't prevent the San Antonio Spurs from succumbing to a 123-118 defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite Wembanyama's historic achievement, LeBron James stole the spotlight with a stellar display, propelling the Lakers to victory and thwarting a late resurgence from the Spurs.
James delivered a standout performance, tallying 30 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.
His contribution overshadowed Wembanyama's milestone, as the French prodigy joined an exclusive group of players by achieving a "5x5" — recording at least five points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in a single game, a feat accomplished by only 15 players in NBA history.
Wembanyama's feat comes hot on the heels of a near miss in his previous game against the Sacramento Kings, where he fell just one point short of achieving the milestone. Notably, he achieved the "5x5" in record time, accomplishing it in just 30 minutes and 55 seconds – the fastest in NBA history.
Drawing comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordan, Wembanyama's consecutive performances with five blocks and five steals further cemented his burgeoning reputation.
“He doesn't have a ceiling,” James said after the game. “He can do whatever he wants to do in his career. It seems like he enjoys the game. It seems like he puts the work in, just from the outside looking in.
“I said a long time ago how special he was, and it's really that simple.”
Wembanyama himself was not all that interested in comparisons with NBA Hall of Famer Jordan.
“I wonder if he did it in wins, not losses,” Wembanyama said. “To me, it’s secondary. Hopefully in the future we can look back and see this as a good performance, but as of today, I can’t be satisfied [with] a loss.”
Although Wembanyama's stellar showing ended in defeat, his performance drew praise from none other than James himself.
Alongside James, Anthony Davis contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds, while D'Angelo Russell added 22 points, ensuring the Lakers emerged victorious despite a spirited effort from Wembanyama and the Spurs, particularly in the first quarter.
Comments