“He showed why he’s the No. 1 pick”
The first time Anthony Davis faced Victor Wembanyama, he suddenly discovered an unpredictable truth about this guy
AD gets real on facing the French phenom.
In the absence of LeBron James for Wednesday’s contest against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left calf injury, Victor Wembanyama directed his entire focus toward a formidable big-man battle with Anthony Davis. Wemby dropped an impressive double-double of 30 points and 13 rebounds, along with six blocks, as he showed AD why there’s been such incredible hype around him.
“He’s extremely talented, three-level scorer, as we saw tonight. He’s been talked about a lot from his time overseas, coming into the league, and now. The team is struggling, but he’s playing extremely well because he’s able to keep them in games, they’re playing really good basketball,” Davis said. “He showed why he’s the No.1 pick and a candidate for Rookie of the Year tonight.”
AD on what it was like playing against Wembanyama: "He showed why he's the No. 1 pick and a candidate for Rookie of the Year tonight." pic.twitter.com/pcM2rIGWt7
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 14, 2023
Wembanyama had nothing but praise for Davis
The exchange of admiration wasn’t a one-way street. In return, after being outscored by ‘The Brow,’ who posted a more influential double-double of 37 points and ten rebounds, Wembanyama reciprocated the same feeling.
Victor Wembanyama on playing against Anthony Davis:
"It’s a great experience. He’s somebody I’ve studied a little bit in the past. Great player of course, and I’m glad I’m going to be able to play so much more times against him."
AD had 37 and 10 tonight while Wemby had 30… pic.twitter.com/8inpT37nFf
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) December 14, 2023
Although the duo didn’t get a chance to talk after the game, they had plenty of one-on-one matchups during the contest. Despite tweaking his ankle just after the opening tip, Davis displayed resilience by staying on the court. In a significant turn of events, AD seized the opportunity to hand Wembanyama his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment by viciously dunking on him in the second quarter.
AD THROWS IT DOWN 🤯
Lakers-Spurs | Live on NBA TV
📲https://t.co/2NCQUCs1JZ pic.twitter.com/FJKtzNNxrq— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2023
It would be remiss not to mention that Victor did get some payback as he skillfully spun away from AD under the rim to deliver a one-handed slam later in the quarter.
LOOK AT VICTOR WEMBANYAMA pic.twitter.com/JBKaCxHNaq
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) December 14, 2023
Wemby fouled out for the first time in his career
Facing a daunting 20-point deficit in the early stages of the fourth quarter, the Spurs staged a remarkable comeback effort, giving the Lakers another ‘Hollywood ending.’ SA managed to outscore the Purple and Gold 45-30 in the last quarter but to no avail.
In the game’s dying moments, the French phenom fouled out for the first time in his career when he extended his leg on a missed 3-pointer that could’ve tied the game with less than 10 seconds remaining.
Wembanyama will have another chance to compete against Davis and hopefully end his team’s losing streak when the Spurs play the Lakers on Friday.
