Wemby posts 1st triple-double in just 21 minutes
DETROIT — Victor Wembanyama looked like the biggest playmaker in the world, setting up teammates with slick 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 second-fewest minutes 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.
“Doing it in a win is everything, of course,” said Wembanyama, who did not record a triple-double while competing in France’s LNB Pro A league. “I didn’t know it was the second fastest in NBA history. It matters to me. I’m not the type to talk for nothing. This is the kind of statement we want to make as a team, and this is type of statement I want to make as a player.”
Wembanyama is the second Spurs rookie to have a triple-double in franchise history, joining David Robinson (three times). At 20 years and 6 days, Wembanyama is also the youngest Spurs player with a triple-double. The previous youngest was Tre Jones at 23 years, 84 days old.
In addition, Wembanyama is the fourth rookie to have a triple-double without a turnover, since individual turnovers were first tracked during the 1977-78 season. He joins Ben Simmons, Andre Iguodala and Robinson.
“We’re asking him to do a lot, and he’s ready for it,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell said.
Wembanyama was 6-of-16 from the field, missing all four of his 3-point attempts, and surpassed his previous season high of 7 assists.
“He’s just a very good passer,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He was a good passer before he got here.”
Wembanyama’s latest sensational game was against the franchise that was hoping to land him. Detroit had the league’s worst record 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 been,” 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 click a little more,” Jones said.
Detroit (3-35) has lost six consecutive games since breaking its NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak.
“The focus and discipline wasn’t there,” coach Monty Williams said. “There’s nobody to look at other than me, not having guys ready to play.”
San Antonio took control in the first quarter with a 31-19 lead and the Pistons didn’t 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 the whole 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 had 19 points.
The Pistons were without point guard Cade Cunningham, who is expected to be out for another week with a strained left knee strain.
ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
