Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Thrill NBA Fans with Epic Duel as ...
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Victor Wembanyama put on a show on his 20th birthday Thursday night in a 125-121 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The San Antonio Spurs rookie had 27 points, nine rebounds and five blocks on the night while battling against Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Spurs couldn't come away with the win, it was a positive sign to see San Antonio, which is now 5-29 on the season, playing close against one of the best teams in the NBA.
Wembanyama also provided a few memorable highlights on his birthday.
OH MY GOODNESS WEMBY ????<br><br>Bucks-Spurs on TNT <a href="https://t.co/6lHbOH3cr3">pic.twitter.com/6lHbOH3cr3</a>
Wemby is ROLLING in the 3Q and up to 19 PTS for the game ????<br><br>???? Bucks-Spurs on TNT <a href="https://t.co/ZLYzNRWzHw">pic.twitter.com/ZLYzNRWzHw</a>
THROW ???? IT ???? DOWN! <a href="https://t.co/IOFTqPlqmy">pic.twitter.com/IOFTqPlqmy</a>
WEMBY ALLEY OOP TO HIMSELF ???? <a href="https://t.co/w84DWsU4Lt">pic.twitter.com/w84DWsU4Lt</a>
Wemby STRETCHES to block the corner 3 ????<br><br>???? Bucks-Spurs on TNT <a href="https://t.co/LnjsVPjjeE">pic.twitter.com/LnjsVPjjeE</a>
With the game coming down to the wire, Wembanyama came up with a clutch block against Damian Lillard and followed it up with a three at the end.
WEMBY BLOCK INTO 3 TIES IT UP. <br><br>121-121.<br><br>Bucks-Spurs on TNT <a href="https://t.co/1WFaT2wU9N">pic.twitter.com/1WFaT2wU9N</a>
In the final minute of the game with the Spurs down three, he once again came up with a huge block, this time over Antetokounmpo.
Wemby rejection preserves the 3-point deficit!<br><br>Spurs have the ball down 3 with 16.5 seconds remaining on TNT ???? <a href="https://t.co/1P2y2a3ebM">pic.twitter.com/1P2y2a3ebM</a>
The pair of clutch plays ultimately weren't enough as San Antonio came up short in the final seconds.
Despite the loss, another big game for Wembanyama full of highlights had NBA fans excited for what's to come for the emerging star. The battle between Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo also gave fans some regular-season excitement.
Wemby lob to himself <br><br>Wemby behind the back and slam for the and-1<br><br>Wemby blocking everything <a href="https://t.co/oxCLSHpH5B">pic.twitter.com/oxCLSHpH5B</a>
Wemby just provided help on the left block against Giannis, forced a pass and rotated all the way to the right corner to block Pat Connaughton's 3. He's unbelievable
WEMBY so nice ????
Wemby masterclass
Wemby WOW. Not from this planet
Wemby is putting up a great performance against a front court that he is supposed to struggle against
It's easy to see how Wemby's scoring + overall offense are gonna explode once contact doesn't so easily bump him off his spots downhill. The length, flexibility + coordination are absurd, while the passing is rapidly developing.<br><br>And he already looks like a top-5ish defender.
once Wemby is able to take contact it's over for the league <br><br>There is legitimately nobody going to be able to stop him
WEMBY VS GIANNIS IS BASKETBALL PACIFIC RIM
I never seen someone block Giannis like that <br><br>Wemby is CRAZY man
Dude...Wemby vs. Giannis is INCREDIBLE
The Wemby Giannis matchup <a href="https://t.co/QDyiOX3zpP">pic.twitter.com/QDyiOX3zpP</a>
GIANNIS VS. WEMBY TONIGHT<br><br>Giannis Antetokounmpo:<br>44 PTS - 14 REB - 7 AST - 67% FG<br><br>Victor Wembanyama:<br>27 PTS - 9 REB - 5 BLK - 55% FG<br><br>???????????????? <a href="https://t.co/2rWG8gwjyT">pic.twitter.com/2rWG8gwjyT</a>
Giannis exiting his prime vs. wemby trying to win his first ring against him in the 2028 finals going to be generational
The Spurs might not be making a Finals run this season, but Thursday night's game from Wembanyama provided evidence he's ready to show up for his team in big moments.