Andrew LopezESPN3 Minute Read
SAN ANTONIO — The NBA world held its breath as Victor Wembanyama, the highly anticipated rookie, made his regular-season debut at the Frost Bank Center. Before stepping onto the court, Wembanyama excitedly embraced fans on both sides of the tunnel with open arms.
Despite being hampered by foul trouble, Wembanyama captivated the sold-out crowd of 18,947 in the fourth quarter with his impressive performance. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the Dallas Mavericks from claiming a 126-119 victory against Wembanyama’s Spurs.
“I experienced a whirlwind of emotions,” Wembanyama shared after the game. “But it would have been the perfect night with a win.”
Wembanyama expressed his awe at the overwhelming number of fans present in the arena before tip-off. He did manage to make an impact early on by blocking Kyrie Irving’s shot during the Spurs’ first defensive possession.
Unfortunately, Wembanyama found himself grappling with fouls throughout the game. He picked up his second foul late in the first quarter and saw limited playing time in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Wembanyama accumulated two fouls within the first three minutes and was sidelined for the rest of the quarter.
When he returned in the fourth quarter, Wembanyama wasted no time in making his presence felt. He scored nine points and caught a lob from his teammate, Devin Vassell. However, despite his efforts, clutch 3-pointers from Irving and Luka Doncic secured the victory for the Mavericks.
“Dealing with foul trouble is one of the toughest challenges a player can face,” acknowledged Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “It disrupts your rhythm and consistency. Despite that, Victor displayed remarkable maturity, especially for his young age, when he came back in for the final seven minutes and played his heart out.”
Wembanyama’s stat line for the night included 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 23 minutes of play. He shot 6-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Despite the frustration caused by fouls, Wembanyama maintained a positive mindset throughout the game.
“It can be frustrating, but it’s important to stay positive for the sake of my teammates,” Wembanyama explained. “I can’t let it show on the court, and every day, we learn and grow.”
Devin Vassell, who led the Spurs with 23 points, expressed his high expectations for Wembanyama’s future performances. However, he acknowledged that the team is still working on understanding each other’s playstyles.
“We’re all in the process of getting familiar with one another,” Vassell said. “We’re still figuring out how to make the game easier for Wembanyama, ensuring that he doesn’t have to solely rely on isolation plays. We need to create opportunities for him with easy lobs and open looks.
“He demands so much attention from opponents that when they double-team him, we need to capitalize on that by making smart cuts and plays.”
Luka Doncic, who recorded a triple-double with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, expressed his enjoyment in competing against Wembanyama in his NBA debut.
“It was a fun experience,” Doncic stated. “We were aware that the whole arena would be electrifying. Victor is undoubtedly one of the best prospects to join the NBA, so it was great. Personally, I thrive on challenges, so it was an enjoyable one.”
In the decisive fourth quarter, Doncic and Irving teamed up to score 20 of the Mavericks’ 30 points, ultimately sealing their victory. Irving finished the game with 22 points and six assists.
After the game, Doncic showered praise on the Spurs’ rookie, predicting a bright future for Wembanyama.
“With his incredible size, movement, and agility, Victor is bound to achieve amazing things,” Doncic enthused. “He moves like a point guard despite his towering height of 7-5 or 7-6, I’m not entirely sure. It’s truly astonishing to watch him play. I have no doubt he will have an outstanding career.”
