Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Thrill NBA Fans with Epic Duel as Bucks Beat Spurs
Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
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.
NBA @NBA
OH MY GOODNESS WEMBY 😱
Bucks-Spurs on TNT pic.twitter.com/6lHbOH3cr3
NBA @NBA
Wemby is ROLLING in the 3Q and up to 19 PTS for the game 🔥
📺 Bucks-Spurs on TNT pic.twitter.com/ZLYzNRWzHw
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
THROW 👏 IT 👏 DOWN! pic.twitter.com/IOFTqPlqmy
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
WEMBY ALLEY OOP TO HIMSELF 😱 pic.twitter.com/w84DWsU4Lt
NBA @NBA
Wemby STRETCHES to block the corner 3 😳
📺 Bucks-Spurs on TNT pic.twitter.com/LnjsVPjjeE
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.
NBA @NBA
WEMBY BLOCK INTO 3 TIES IT UP.
121-121.
Bucks-Spurs on TNT pic.twitter.com/1WFaT2wU9N
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.
NBA @NBA
Wemby rejection preserves the 3-point deficit!
Spurs have the ball down 3 with 16.5 seconds remaining on TNT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1P2y2a3ebM
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.
ɢᴀʙʀɪᴇʟ @JeeVee84
Wemby lob to himself
Wemby behind the back and slam for the and-1
Wemby blocking everything pic.twitter.com/oxCLSHpH5B
Jackson Frank @jackfrank_jjf
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
LegendOfWinning @LegendOfWinning
Wemby is putting up a great performance against a front court that he is supposed to struggle against
Jackson Frank @jackfrank_jjf
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.
And he already looks like a top-5ish defender.
J @jtakuz
once Wemby is able to take contact it’s over for the league
There is legitimately nobody going to be able to stop him
《Juliana Aaron》 @julzzay
The Wemby Giannis matchup pic.twitter.com/QDyiOX3zpP
Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral
GIANNIS VS. WEMBY TONIGHT
Giannis Antetokounmpo:
44 PTS – 14 REB – 7 AST – 67% FGVictor Wembanyama:
27 PTS – 9 REB – 5 BLK – 55% FG
Dom2K 🎅 @Dom_2k
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.
