Victor Wembanyama took the top 5 from JJ Reddick after the win

ByNBAUSA



At this point, the only way to stop San Antonio Spurs center Victor Vembanyama is if a giraffe learns to play basketball. But even that would be a close fight.

Vembanjama almost single-handedly destroyed the Los Angeles Lakers at Cripto.com Arena on Tuesday, as the Spurs cruised to an easy victory, 136-108.

The two-time All-Star took advantage of a depleted Lakers roster, which was without the big three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves due to injury. Vembanjama exploded for a game-high 40 points on 13-of-20 shooting. He also had 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.

Lakers coach JJ Redickwho probably had a migraine trying to find a way to stop Vembanyama, had high praise for the 22-year-old star.

“He’s one of the top five players in the world. He’s put that stamp on himself. For me, it’s more than counting stats with him, because there’s such an avoidance from him defensively, and there’s an awareness you have to have with him defensively,” Redick said in a postgame conference call.

“He affects the game in ways that don’t show up in the box score. On top of that, he’s one of them as a person. You could see the collective belief and the collective culture they’ve established over the last few years with him.”

Vembanjama, who scored 25 points in the first quarter, has quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s elite, dismissing early concerns that he might struggle with his physical condition in the league.

Vembanjama’s combination of height, skill and versatility is extraordinary, sometimes even surreal, especially whenever he creates a performance that seems physically impossible.

Given that he’s playing at a cosmic level, it’s no coincidence that the Spurs have the third best record at 37-16.

Even a giraffe can figure that out.





2026-02-11 06:58:00

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