Victor Wembanyama posts 1st NBA triple-double in Spurs’ win،
DETROIT – Victor Wembanyama looked like the greatest playmaker in the world, setting up his teammates with nifty passes on the break and in the post.
The 7-foot-3 French rookie phenom had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his first NBA triple-double, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 130-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick last summer, played just 21:02, the penultimate minute in a triple-double performance in the shot clock era (since 1954-55). Russell Westbrook played 20:17 and had a triple-double for Oklahoma City in 2014 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“To do it in a win is everything, of course,” said Wembanyama, who did not record a triple-double while competing in the French LNB Pro A league. “I didn't know it was the second fastest in NBA history. It's important to me. I'm not one to talk for nothing. This is the kind of statement we want to make as a team, and it's kind of statement I want to make as a player.”
Wembanyama is the second Spurs rookie to record a triple-double in franchise history, joining David Robinson (three times). At 20 years and 6 days old, Wembanyama is also the youngest Spurs player to record a triple-double. The previous youngest was Tre Jones, aged 23 years and 84 days.
Additionally, Wembanyama is the fourth rookie to record a triple-double without a turnover since individual turnovers were first recorded during the 1977-78 season. He joins Ben Simmons, Andre Iguodala and Robinson.
“We ask him to do a lot, and he’s willing to do it,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said.
Wembanyama was 6 of 16 from the field, missing all four of his 3-point attempts and surpassing his previous season high of 7 assists.
“He’s just a really good passer,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He was a good passer before he got here.”
Wembanyama's last sensational match was against the franchise that was hoping to sign him. Detroit had the worst record in the league last season, but didn't get the first pick in the draft lottery.
“It’s weird to imagine a different future and what it could be,” he said.
The Spurs (6-30) entered the game with the second-worst record in the NBA, with only the lowly Pistons behind them, and a five-game losing streak.
“It’s just starting to get a little louder,” Jones said.
Detroit (3-35) has lost six straight games since breaking its NBA record 28 consecutive losses.
“The focus and discipline wasn’t there,” coach Monty Williams said. “There’s no one to watch besides me, there’s no guys ready to play.”
San Antonio took control in the first quarter with a 31-19 lead and the Pistons didn't really put up much of a fight the rest of the night.
“It's a lack of energy and effort,” said Detroit center Jalen Duren, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds. “We’re the type of team where we need energy throughout the game.”
The Spurs had eight players score in double figures, including Keldon Johnson with 17 points and Vassell with 16.
Detroit's Jaden Ivey scored 19 points, missing 11 of 18 shots, and Bojan Bogdanovic also scored 19 points.
The Pistons were without point guard Cade Cunningham, who is expected to be out for another week with a strained left knee.
ESPN Stats & Information and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
