Victor Wembanyama scores 3rd career triple-double, helps Spurs beat Kings

San Antonio Spurs’ talisman Victor Wembanyama scored his third career triple-double in his team’s 127-125 come-from-behind victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. The youngster scored a game-high 34 points with 14 rebounds and 11 assists as the Spurs scored 23 three-pointers, the most in the franchise’s history.

Wembanyama was delighted with the way he adapted his game after a rusty start to the game.

“As far as my own performance, to recap, [I’d say] adaptability,” Wembanyama said. “I think we adapted pretty well to their scouting report. The triple-double is just a byproduct of making the right choices.”

Wembanyama also became the first Spur to hit five 3s in a triple-double performance. But Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson called out Wembanyama’s performance as unsatisfactory in the first three quarters.

“I thought he had some very poor moments in the first three quarters in terms of fundamentals and solid basketball, and it’s a testament to him and his ability to lock in,” Johnson explained. “I thought in the fourth quarter he was a man. I thought he dominated. Dominating the fundamentals for him — the catches, the passes, the solid stuff — it’s still spectacular. But when he does that, he’s a load.”

Johnson said Wembanyama has an all-round game and shrugged his likeness to drift away from the paint to a more perimeter-oriented game. 

“It’s his biggest strength,” Johnson said, “and at times that can be the thing [players] have to grow into or learn from. He can do everything. So, when you have that many options on the menu, to think you’re going to pick the right one every time is tough. And he’s a young player that’s learning how to use all the weapons that he has. So, there’s tremendous belief and great support for him as he learns when and where to utilize all those weapons. And I think just constantly holding himself accountable as he does of the fundamental stuff is what will allow those things to pop off the page.”

The youngster said he wants to keep improving his game at the top level to reap the desired rewards.

“I personally like to get a lot of content from the video room, and they do a great job of targeting certain areas and certain types of plays where we need to get better,” Wembanyama said. “This is something I’ve really loved from them all season so far. Every time they’ve given me advice or content to watch, it’s been very purposeful, and it’s worked. Tonight, as a team we took a step forward because teams have tried to guard us differently all season and we’ve responded better and better. And tonight, we responded the best against a certain type of defense that we faced since a couple games [ago]. So, to answer your question, I think being purposeful is the most important and not just watching tape to watch it.”

The Spurs will next take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.