Victor Wembanyama has done an incredible job of living up to the hype in his first NBA season. The San Antonio Spurs rookie can do it all on the court, which he proved again on Thursday and Friday night.
On Thursday, he put up 19 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and five blocks against the Sacramento Kings. The following night, he dropped 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and, once again, five steals and blocks—a very rare 5x5 game for an NBA player. Even more rare is Wembanyama putting up five steals and blocks in back-to-back games. In fact, just one player has pulled off that particular feat before: Michael Jordan in 1987.
When asked about matching the GOAT with his accomplishment, the ever-humble Wembanyama had a pretty perfect response.
“I wonder if [Jordan] did it in wins, not losses,” Wembanyama said after the game. “To me, it’s secondary. Hopefully in the future we can look back and see this as a good performance, but as of today, I can’t be satisfied with a loss.”
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama on joining Michael Jordan w/ back-to-back 5-steal, 5-block games: “I wonder if he did it in wins, not losses. To me, it’s secondary. Hopefully… we can look back & think this is a good performance. As of today, I can’t be satisfied with a loss.” pic.twitter.com/ITAd0bupxr
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 24, 2024
Wembanyama was correct in his guess. On Feb. 22, 1987, Jordan went for 43 points with eight steals and five blocks against the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 102–98 win. Two days later, he scored 34 points with five steals and five blocks, adding 12 rebounds in a 113–103 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Meanwhile, Wembanyama’s efforts came in back-to-back five-point losses for the 11–46 Spurs, the last-place team in the Western Conference.
Even in a losing effort, Wembanyama impressed another one of the game’s all-time greats with his performance.
“That kid is SPECIAL!!” LeBron James posted after leading the Lakers to the win, adding a very appropriate alien emoji.
