Victor Wembanyama Drops 40 in 26 Minutes, Sends a Message Ahead of All-Star Weekend
The stars may have been sidelined, but Victor Wembanyama made sure the lights still burned bright in Los Angeles.
With Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves all out, the 7-foot-4 rookie phenom took center stage at Crypto.com Arena and delivered a performance that was nothing short of jaw-dropping. Wembanyama exploded for 40 points and 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 136-108 win over the depleted Lakers.
Let that sink in: 40 and 12 in 26 minutes. That’s not just a big night - that’s a slice of NBA history.
No player has ever put up those kinds of numbers in so few minutes. And Wemby didn’t wait around to make his mark - he dropped 25 in the first quarter alone and had 37 by halftime.
It was the kind of start that leaves even seasoned veterans shaking their heads.
But this wasn’t just a monster stat line. It was a statement.
With All-Star Weekend looming, Wembanyama didn’t just want to dominate a regular-season game - he wanted to reignite a conversation that’s been circling the league for years: the competitiveness of the All-Star Game. And he didn’t hold back.
“I’ve always thought myself that if I was in there, I’m never stepping on to the court to lose or not caring,” Wembanyama said. “Just like at home, I’m never stepping into a board game not caring if I’m going to lose. So I’m thinking it’s not ok to lose - so I’m going to be out there, I might as well win.”
That mindset is exactly what the NBA is hoping for this year. In an effort to breathe life back into the event, the league has reworked the format into a USA vs.
World matchup - a move designed to tap into national pride and spark some real fire. And if Wembanyama’s attitude is any indication, the “World” squad won’t be showing up just to swap jerseys and take open threes.
Right now, Wembanyama isn’t just talking the talk - he’s walking it with authority. He’s averaging career highs across the board: 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, shooting 51.2% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. He’s also anchoring a Spurs team that’s found its rhythm, riding a five-game win streak into the break with a 37-16 record.
And while Wemby is clearly the headliner, he’s also the face of something much bigger - the next wave of French basketball dominance. What started with Tony Parker two decades ago has turned into a full-on movement.
France now boasts 19 players on NBA or G League rosters. Twelve were first-round picks.
Seven were lottery selections in just the last three drafts. And alongside Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher also went No. 1 overall, signaling that this pipeline isn’t just deep - it’s elite.
It’s also worth noting: the last U.S.-born MVP was James Harden back in 2019. Since then, the league’s top individual honors have gone to international stars. The tide has shifted - and Wembanyama is riding the crest.
So if you’re wondering whether the All-Star Game will finally bring the heat this year, look no further than the 7-foot-4 rookie who just dropped 40 in 26 minutes like it was a Tuesday night pickup game. He’s not just showing up to play. He’s showing up to win.
And the rest of the league better be ready.