First-year sensation Victor Wembanyama has taken the NBA by storm, but he's still a rookie.
Veteran Doug McDermott reminded him of that fact with some good-natured ribbing following the 7-foot-4 Frenchman's first career triple-double in a 130-108 Spurs victory over the Detroit Pistons.
“I had as many blocks as he did tonight, so he’s gotta get back in the lab and maybe watch some film.” - Doug McDermott on Victor Wembanyama’s triple-double.
— Matthew Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) January 11, 2024
McDermott's joke, while corny, works because both he and Wembanyama failed to come away with a block in the Spurs victory.
A 10-year veteran, McDermott stands at 6-foot-6 and has 61 career blocks to his name, so it was no surprise that he came away with a zero in that column against the Pistons.
However, Wembanyama went block-less for only the second time this season (32).
While he may not have been a dominant defensive presence, Wembanyama had a game he won't soon forget.
Victor Wembanyama put on a show and recorded his first-career triple-double on way to a Spurs W
— NBA (@NBA) January 11, 2024
16 PTS / 12 REB/ 10 AST
Wemby (21 MIN) is the second player in NBA history to record a triple-double while playing less than 22 MIN. pic.twitter.com/eIsUHo3fNn
After posting 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, he became the fifth-youngest player in the history of the NBA to record a triple-double. According to The Athletic, only Luka Doncic (19 years, 327 days), Markelle Fultz (19 years, 317 days), LaMelo Ball (19 years, 140 days) and Josh Giddey (19 years, 84 days) were younger.
Meanwhile, he's only the fourth rookie since the NBA/ABA merger to post a triple-double with zero turnovers, joining Ben Simmons, Andre Iguodala and David Robinson, per StatMuse.
Victor Wembanyama's first career triple-double
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 11, 2024
At 20 years old, @Wemby is the youngest center in NBA history to record a triple-double and he did it in just 21 minutes! pic.twitter.com/9K2dcTtrgq
Furthermore, it took only 21 minutes to record his first of many triple-doubles to come. Per the Spurs, it's the second-fastest in NBA history, trailing only Russell Westbrook, who posted a 20-minute triple-double in 2014.
The Spurs may own the worst record in the Western Conference (6-30), but it's clear they now have a generational talent leading the way, hopefully leading to sunnier days ahead.
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