Thousands attend an anti-government rally organized by Poland's main opposition party

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Thousands of people attended an anti-government rally organized by Poland's nationalist conservative opposition party to boost support before next year's presidential election.

Law and Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski called on supporters to be active at social and political levels and to back the party’s candidate in next year’s presidential election. He hasn't yet named the candidate.

Kaczynski also accused the pro-European Union government of acting against the nation’s interests and violating its laws and cited recently opened investigations into allegations of mismanagement and corruption of the Law and Justice government.

Up to 4,000 people with national white-and-red flags gathered for the rally held in windy weather outside the Justice Ministry in Warsaw, which has become a symbol of years of deep rifts between the backers of Kaczynski and Donald Tusk, now the prime minister and leader of the center-right Civic Platform party.

Law and Justice, which governed Poland for nearly a decade from 2015 until 2023, drew criticism from Brussels and Tusk alike for making changes to Poland’s judicial system that were deemed undemocratic.

Many in the nation of 38 million people were also tired of the aggressive and divisive language that Kaczynski, who dictated the government's policies from the sidelines, used to energize support.

The party lost power in the 2023 election, but is still exerting control through President Andrzej Duda, who is allied with Law and Justice. Duda, whose second and last term runs out in August, has been blocking many of the government's draft laws.

Leader of Poland's right-wing opposition party Law and Justice, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, right, attends the party's protest rally of a few thousand backers against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Backers of the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice take part in a protest ally of a few thousand people against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Backers of the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice take part in a protest ally of a few thousand people against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Leader of Poland's right-wing opposition party Law and Justice, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, left, attends the party's protest rally of a few thousand backers against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet, before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Backers of the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice take part in a protest ally of a few thousand people against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Backers of the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice take part in a protest ally of a few thousand people against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Backers of the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice take part in a protest ally of a few thousand people against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Backers of the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice take part in a protest ally of a few thousand people against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Leader of Poland's right-wing opposition party Law and Justice, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, front, attends the party's protest rally of a few thousand backers against the policies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Cabinet before the Ministry of Justice, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

FILE - Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk attends solemn ceremonies at Westerplatte, on the Baltic Sea, Poland, on Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Wojciech Strozyk)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 50 points in a performance that left his San Antonio teammates and the opposition in awe.

Wembanyama shrugged, wondering when he will do better after the Spurs' 139-130 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

“Really, my first thought is, eventually I want the rest of our performances, the rest of our games to overshadow this one,” said Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 draft. “I wish, I want to make it so that in the future it’s just another one.”

It’s the pragmatism that has enabled Wembanyama to blossom into one of the league’s youngest superstars.

“Very impressive,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul said.

At 20 years 314 days, Wembanyama is the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points, trailing only Brandon Jennings (20/52), LeBron James (20/80) and Devin Booker (20/145).

“The big fella, man,” San Antonio wing Julian Champagnie said. “I mean obviously that’s not where it’s going to be every night, but when he comes out with that mindset, man, it’s hard to, it’s hard (for the opposition). Big praise to him, big shout out to him. He’s working on his game.

“So, we’re super proud of him and that’s what we expect from him.”

Wembanyama was 8 for 16 on 3-pointers, establishing a career high after setting and tying that mark with six 3-pointers in his previous two games.

Wembanyama started quickly against the Wizards, hitting 3-pointers from 25 and 28 feet as the Spurs raced to a 13-3 lead.

“Probably not (played against anyone) who does everything on a high level,” Washington center Jonas Valanciunas said. “Them shots, the 3-point shots, we did everything to take that away, but he still managed them.”

Wembanyama had 24 points in the first half, his highest production in a first half, and then matched his highest production for any half with 26 in the final two quarters against the Wizards.

Wembanyama is the first player in league history with 20 3-pointers and 25 blocks over a six-game span.

Wembanyama is the eighth player in San Antonio franchise history to score 50 points in a game. David Robinson holds the franchise record with 71 points against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 24, 1994.

That accomplishment may mean something later, but Wembanyama was already focused on the game Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers to open the Emirates NBA Cup.

“I love to celebrate the small wins and the big wins for a short amount of time, but tomorrow, we’re already locked in on the Lakers,” Wembanyama said.

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San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots against Washington Wizards' Alex Sarr (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, right, passes to Spurs guard Blake Wesley during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 139-130. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, second from left, speaks with Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 139-130. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against Washington Wizards' Kyle Kuzma during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 139-130. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)