Wembanyama (40 points, 13 rebounds) hits 65 games as he checks another ‘box’

San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama Reached the 65-game threshold for postseason award eligibility on Friday with a 40-point outing that included 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. win 139-120 Above dallas mavericks.

“I’m sure he’ll be in pain tomorrow, but he did everything right.” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said.

Returning from a one-game absence after suffering a left rib injury on Monday against Philadelphia, Wembanyama recorded his fifth game this season with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds and tied Hall of Famer David Robinson (1993–94) for the most such games in a season in Spurs history. Wembanyama played 26 minutes to help San Antonio improve to 24–3 since the All-Star break.

Vembanyama writhed in pain several times and placed his hand on his injured rib, but this had no effect on his performance. In the first quarter alone, Vembanyama scored 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting with five rebounds and one block.

“I tried to defend [the injured rib] As much as possible while maintaining respect for the game,” Vembanyama said. “But it was OK. It didn’t bother me that much, just a few times when it was a specific moment or specific hit where it was painful.”

The favorite to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanyama expressed relief at reaching the 65-game limit, calling it “a box [been] Checked” while also showing sympathy towards the players. Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards And luka doncic Who are ineligible for postseason awards because they have not played enough games due to injuries (Doncic is expected to appeal).

French then immediately turned the tables on the journalists in the room.

“Let me ask you a question,” Vembanyama said. “What percentage of the season do you think should be [threshold]?”

Reporters gave varying answers ranging from 75% to 80% of the season, before one media member suggested that no limit should exist for games played because the number of games played does not necessarily measure a player’s impact.

“I think that’s a good way to say it,” Wembanyama said. “Because a guy who plays 50 games, 35 minutes per game, that’s 50 times 35. That’s 1,750 [minutes]Correct? And if a person plays 75 games in 20 minutes, that’s 1,500 [minutes]”

As soon as the 22-year-old young man spoke, he immediately calculated the mathematics in his mind.

“I think it’s a good idea to have no limits,” he said. “That’s an opinion. In my opinion, seventy-five percent of the games would be a logical thing. That would be 61.5 games, right? So, 62 games? Some interesting questions. I don’t think any exceptions will be made for this year. I think that would be somewhat unfair. But we’ll see how it goes.”