Just getting started

Victor Wembanyama’s 40-point explosion against the Lakers the other day provided proof yet again of his inevitable brush with greatness.

- ANTHONY L. CUAYCONG

He has had a rapidly ascending career trajectory steeped in statistical strangeness and historical resonance since being chosen first overall in the 2023 draft, so his latest feat comes as no surprise to longtime habitués of the sport: 25 points in the first eight minutes, 37 at the half, and another three markers before checking out for good with still four minutes and change left in the third period and the contest already well in hand.From the opening tip, Wembanyama’s performance was designed to be special even by his exacting standards. His offensive numbers at the half on near-perfect efficiency were the most by a Spur in the 21* century. Absent from the box score, the scoring eruption spoke volumes about his increasing comfort with outsized expectations.