Wembanyama Scores 43 on 34 Shots, and the Spurs Finally Win a Volume Game
Victor Wembanyama took a career-high 34 shots for 43 points as San Antonio beat Minnesota 121-111. What changed in his shot diet, and what Utah brings Monday.
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Key takeaways
- ESPN reported Wembanyama scored a season-high 43 points on a career-high 34 shots in a 121-111 win over Minnesota.
- It was the first Spurs win in a game where he attempted 30 or more shots, after losses on two earlier occasions.
- He had five blocks, the first 40-point, five-block game since Joel Embiid in 2022, and the first by a Spur since David Robinson in 1996.
- San Antonio (4-2) has won four straight and hosts Utah (1-5) on Monday.
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Wembanyama Scores 43 on a Career-High 34 Shots as the Spurs Beat Minnesota
Victor Wembanyama scored a season-high 43 points on a career-high 34 shots Saturday as San Antonio beat Minnesota 121-111, ESPN reported. It was the first time the Spurs won a game in which he took 30 or more shots. They lost the two earlier times, 117-114 to the Knicks and 112-110 to Minnesota in 2024.
He added five blocks, making him the first Spur with 40 points and five blocks in a game since David Robinson in 1996, and the first player overall since Joel Embiid in 2022. Dylan Harper had a career-high 25 points, and the trio of Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox and Harper combined for 90. Minnesota was without Anthony Edwards (knee), per ESPN.
damn near impossible at times
Our Read: Volume Is Not the Story, Shot Quality Is
This is our reading of the box score and ESPN's account, not a reported cause.
- The shots came near the rim. ESPN noted 12 of his 14 other baskets came from two feet or closer, including four dunks and four alley-oops. That is a different diet from the rough opener.
- The threes were the cost. He made 3 of 8 from deep. Efficiency leaks there, and a team that wins when he shoots 34 times is still leaning heavily on one player.
- The lineup matters more than the total. Four straight wins with a four-guard starting group suggests the spacing is working. One game against a team missing Edwards is thin proof.
- Opponent context cuts both ways. Minnesota was shorthanded and LaMelo Ball fouled out, so we would not read this as a full test of the Spurs.
None of this tells us what happens next. It does show a star solving the problem he named after the opener.
What to Watch When Utah Visits San Antonio
- Whether Wembanyama keeps attacking the rim or drifts back to a three-heavy diet against Utah, 1-5 and coming off a 112-90 loss to Portland.
- Castle's status after he played through a migraine, per ESPN.
- Whether the Spurs extend the winning streak to five.
- How soon Minnesota gets Anthony Edwards back from his knee injury, which has no timeline in ESPN's report.
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