Victor Wembanyama didn’t just show up at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night-he took over. In a jaw-dropping first-half performance against the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Antonio Spurs’ 7-foot-4 phenom reminded everyone why the hype isn’t just real-it might still be underselling him.
Wembanyama poured in 37 points in just the first 24 minutes of action. That’s not a typo.
Thirty-seven. By himself, he nearly matched the Lakers’ entire first-half scoring total.
It was the kind of performance that had fans, analysts, and historians alike scrambling for the record books.
What made the outburst even more impressive was how complete it was. Wembanyama wasn’t just hot-he was surgical.
He shot 12-of-17 from the field and knocked down 3-of-5 from deep. And while his jumper was falling, he didn’t rely on it.
He attacked the rim with purpose, drawing foul after foul and converting 10-of-12 from the line. The Lakers simply had no answers for his combination of length, skill, and aggression.
Wemby in the 1st half of Lakers-Spurs:
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026
37 points
8 rebounds
2 assists
1 steal
1 block
12-of-17 FG
3-of-5 3PT
10-of-12 FT pic.twitter.com/5eIa4Hg8YX
But this wasn’t just a scoring showcase. Wembanyama brought his usual defensive presence, grabbing eight rebounds, swatting a shot, and adding a steal to his stat line-all before halftime. He was everywhere, on both ends of the floor, dictating the pace and tone of the game like a seasoned vet, not a second-year player.
By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Spurs had built a commanding 84-55 lead. The Lakers, already shorthanded without LeBron James and Luka Dončić, looked overwhelmed. Missing their top playmakers and defensive leaders, they struggled to contain Wembanyama’s versatility and sheer presence.
This Spurs team has had its share of standout moments this season-Stephon Castle’s recent 40-point triple-double springs to mind-but Tuesday night belonged to Wembanyama. It was a reminder that while San Antonio has emerging talent across the board, the franchise cornerstone is already playing like an MVP-caliber force.
And here’s the thing: Wembanyama’s not just putting up big numbers-he’s doing it in ways that feel historic. Performances like this don’t just win games; they shift expectations.
With the Spurs riding a four-game win streak and Wembanyama in this kind of form, the conversation isn’t just about development anymore. It’s about dominance.
If he keeps this up, we may need to start revisiting some of those “untouchable” single-game scoring records. Because Victor Wembanyama isn’t just arriving-he’s rewriting what’s possible.