Victor Wembanyama’s Historic Triple-Double Wows NBA Fans as Spurs Rout Pistons

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 11, 2024

Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images

Here’s how Victor Wembanyama’s night went on Wednesday—the rookie big man put up the first triple-double of his career in about 21 minutes as the San Antonio Spurs (5-30) rolled to a 130-108 blowout win over the hapless Detroit Pistons (3-34).

The final numbers for Wembanyama’s historic evening were absurd, as the French phenom put up 16 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and no turnovers while shooting 6-of-16 from the field.

NBA @NBAWith this assist, Victor Wembanyama secures the first triple-double of his young career 👏

16 PTS / 12 REB / 10 AST

Spurs-Pistons | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/rQcHkGO92p pic.twitter.com/qDoU6yAma5

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportYoungest center EVER (20) to record a triple double 🔥

Wemby is special 🌟 pic.twitter.com/bHyjP8hxbd

Jordan Howenstine @AirlessJordanVictor Wembanyama just put up the second-fastest triple-double in NBA history – 16/12/10 in 21 minutes.

Russell Westbrook the only faster triple-double – 13/10/14 in 20 minutes in 2014.

Some of his assists on the night were absolutely silly:

San Antonio Spurs @spursJEREMY THROWS IT DOWN🔨 pic.twitter.com/dTr3rfNgbJ

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportThis Wemby NUTMEG dime 😅

He’s feeling himself tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QRhdjiGcds

NBA @NBAWemby’s dishes behind his back for assist number 7 early in the 3rd quarter!

Ties his career high.

Spurs-Pistons | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/rQcHkGO92p pic.twitter.com/LVNlvUn7Y5

And then, of course, there were his normal “he barely lifted off the ground but still easily dunked” highlights because… look, the man is very, very tall.

San Antonio Spurs @spursVICTOR 👏 WEMBANYAMA 👏 pic.twitter.com/1NM4R6cQus

NBA @NBAWemby barely lifts for the reverse slam 😲

Spurs-Pistons | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/rQcHkGO92p pic.twitter.com/3oM2dA77B1

So to recap—a 20-year-old posted the first triple-double of his career just 32 games into his rookie season, nearly did so in the fewest minutes required to hit the benchmark in NBA history and became the youngest center in the league’s existence to do so.

Just chew on that for a second. Wemby has been scorching hot in his last six games, and it’s a testament to his overall impact on the court that his most impressive showing in that streak was the only one where he didn’t reach 20 points.

Suffice to say, NBA fans and pundits alike were amazed by the all-around performance:

PJ Hoops @RealPjHoopsVictor Wembanyama’s passing: pic.twitter.com/T6XjlFNO82

Jonathan Givony @DraftExpressThe closest Wembanyama had gotten to a triple-double before? He had 22 points, 15 rebounds and 9 blocks with Nanterre in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament on February 8, 2020. https://t.co/ttf11lSRHP pic.twitter.com/JeUAEG0LQp

John Hollinger @johnhollingerWemby. QB1.

NBA University @NBA_UniversityWemby’s passing is his most advanced offensive skill. The angles he can pass from (off the bounce too!) are unprecedented & vision/willingness is there

Defense/play-finishing are obvious—but being an elite distribution hub can make him the two-way game wrecking force we hope for

Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAENAs I’ve said all along, Victor Wembanyama should be the point guard of this team

Ty Jäger @TheTyJagerIn his prime and around a better supporting cast, Victor Wembanyama will be a nightly triple-double threat

J @jtakuzVictor Wembanyama is easily exceeding all of the hype. How is that even possible

“He’s a very good passer,” head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters regarding Wemby’s big performance on Wednesday after the game. “He was a good passer before he got here.”

“We went to him a lot more tonight,” he added. “We made him the focus offensively in the minutes he played. … We’re learning where he wants the ball, where he feels most comfortable, and the other guys are learning how to cut around him. We had some good cuts out on the court, and he finds those people. If they move, he’ll find them.”

JeffGSpursKENS5 @JeffGSpursZoneMcDermott says the team was unselfish v Pistons, says the game is slowing down for Wembanyama

Says the team is starting to turn the corner, that it wasn’t going to happen overnight but the team is competing lately. (via Bally’s Sports) #porvida #nba #gospursgo

They hype for Wemby was immense heading into his rookie season, but he’s managed to handle it with aplomb. The Wembanyama Experience continues to be special to witness.