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.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
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)
DENVER (AP) — Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the third period to complete his ninth career hat trick, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Rantanen’s goal at 10:01, his second of the night, gave Colorado the lead in the third and he added an empty-net goal with 1:59 remaining for his second hat trick of the season. Artturi Lehkonen also scored and Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves for the Avalanche.
Nathan MacKinnon, who had three assists, has at least one point in 16 of 17 games this season and all 10 home games.
Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves before leaving early in the third period with an apparent injury. David Rittich finished with three saves.
Adrian Kempe had two goals, including one 32 seconds into the game, for the Kings. Lehkonen tied it at 3:40 of the first period but Kempe scored again off of a Colorado turnover with 4:09 remaining in the opening period.
Rantanen tied it with 3:53 left in the second second.
Kings: Did not record a shot on goal in the second period. Kevin Fiala’s breakaway shot that rang off the right post midway through and then Los Angeles had its first shot in more than 23 minutes at 55 seconds of the third.
Avalanche: The power play struggled all night. Colorado didn’t have a shot on goal in its first three man-advantages and had trouble generating any momentum.
Logan O’Connor battled two Kings players along the boards before MacKinnon dug out the puck and backhanded it to Rantanen, and he beat Rittich to put Colorado ahead.
Jared Bednar coached in his 635th game with the Avalanche, breaking a tie with Michel Bergeron for the most in franchise history.
The Kings host Detroit on Saturday, and Avalanche host Washington on Friday to finish a four-game homestand.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 134, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield, center, drives between Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta, left, and center Parker Kelly in pursuit of the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence, left, fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, front, redirects a shot past Los Angeles Kings right wing Quinton Byfield, center, as goaltender Darcy Kuemper makes a save in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere, center, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, and defenseman Cale Makar cover in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson, front, collects the puck as Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala, left, avoids Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev after he stopped a shot off Fiala's stick in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev skates around the net during a time out in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Kings right wing Alex Laferriere, left, pursues the puck with Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon in the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, confers with center Casey Mittelstadt in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday, Nov. 134, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, front, collects the puck with Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe in pursuit in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 134, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
