Victor Wembanyama’s inaugural visit to TD Garden unfolded differently than anticipated, concluding with a 117-98 defeat at the hands of Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Despite this setback, the Celtics extended their unbeaten home record to 20-0 and maintained the NBA’s best overall record at 32-9.
Wembanyama, displaying resilience amid the loss, delivered a commendable performance with 27 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 27 minutes of play. It’s noteworthy, however, that Kristaps Porziņģis was sidelined due to knee soreness, and Wembanyama primarily faced off against bench players Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta. This raises speculation about how the French sensation might have fared against a more formidable defender like Porziņģis.
Despite operating under a minutes restriction, Wembanyama’s achievements in Boston on Wednesday were undeniably impressive. NBA enthusiasts took notice, showering him with praise as he secured 25-plus points for the third consecutive game. Twitter erupted with admiration for Wembanyama’s skills, with fans highlighting his unique abilities, left-handed running banker, and guard-like prowess on the court.
While the struggling San Antonio Spurs, now with a 7-33 season record, face challenges in the Western Conference standings, Wembanyama emerges as a beacon of hope for the franchise. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick is proving his mettle in his rookie season, boasting averages of 19.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.2 blocks in 34 games. His shooting percentages stand at 45.9 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Wembanyama stands prominently in the Rookie of the Year race alongside competitors like Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the second half of the season still ahead, Wembanyama has ample opportunity to solidify his claim to the coveted rookie honor.
