In a fashionable NBA opener, Victor Wembanyama thrust himself straight into the spotlight, dropping 40 points and 15 rebounds in just 30 minutes of playing time and leading his team to a dominant 125-92 victory over the highly touted Dallas Mavericks with the #1 pick Cooper Flagg.
The 7’4″ French phenom, now in his third season, showed no signs of rust after missing much of last year due to a shoulder condition. He shot an impeccable 15-for-21 from the field and 9-for-11 from the charity stripe, adding three blocks and a steal while throwing the ball away zero times.
Wembanyama’s performance shattered a 48-year-old Spurs franchise record for most points in a season opener, previously held by well-decorated and Hall of Fame member George Gervin. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to record 40 points and 15 boards in a season opener, joining elite company in the league’s record books. “I’m much more in control of myself,” Wembanyama said postgame. “The mind—I’m not worried about that. I’ve seen what it’s like to be confronted with losing a lot, whether it’s your career or your health. So I’m not taking this for granted.”
The Spurs’ supporting cast also impressed, with rookie Stephon Castle contributing to key assists and Dylan Harper adding 20 points and 8 assists in his debut. The Mavericks, led by rookie Cooper Flagg, struggled to find rhythm against Wembanyama’s giant presence in the paint. Just give him some time, as we are guaranteed to see him find his rhythm and get the Mavs firing on all cylinders.
With this explosive start, Wembanyama has sparked a buzz around the Spurs as a potential playoff sleeper. If his season opener is any indication, the league may be bracing for a breakout campaign from one of its most electrifying young stars. Will the French giant be the new face of the league? I guess we will have to see.
