Victor Wembanyama Shines in Spurs Win, Draws Bold Comparison from Kendrick Perkins
Victor Wembanyama is doing what few big men in NBA history have ever done - and he’s doing it with style, confidence, and a growing sense of command. After another standout performance in San Antonio’s 135-123 win over the Dallas Mavericks, the 22-year-old center drew a surprising comparison from former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins, who said Wembanyama’s game reminds him of… himself.
Kendrick Perkins on Victor Wembanyama “He’s a prime example of me” pic.twitter.com/wR4CM7rgSi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 6, 2026
Yes, you read that right.
“Victor Wembanyama, he refuse to let us put him in a box,” Perkins said during a postgame segment on NBA Today. “Like people was complaining that we want him to go more inside - he took those trey balls yesterday and he’s knocking them down. He’s a prime example of me.”
Now, Perkins later clarified that he wasn’t talking about skillset or stat lines. He was pointing to mindset - that willingness to go against the grain.
“While everybody else is going right, I typically go left. And that’s what he does,” Perkins added.
And to be fair, Wembanyama is zigging where others zag. While most 7-footers still earn their bread and butter in the paint, Wemby is stretching the floor, knocking down threes, and playing with a fluidity that defies the norms of his position.
Against Dallas, he put together one of the most complete performances of his young career: 29 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals in just 34 minutes. He shot a blistering 9-for-14 from the field, including 5-for-9 from deep and 6-for-8 from the line. That’s not just a big man doing damage - that’s a full-blown offensive engine.
But what’s just as impressive is how seamlessly he’s blending that offensive versatility with elite rim protection and rebounding. Through 37 games this season - 28 of them starts - Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. And he’s doing it efficiently, hitting career highs across the board: 50.9% from the field, 36.7% from three, all while logging just over 29 minutes a night.
Those numbers aren’t just good for a third-year player - they’re All-NBA caliber. And they’ve helped spark a surge for San Antonio, which improved to 35-16 with the win over Dallas. The Spurs are climbing fast in the Western Conference standings, and Wembanyama is right at the center of it - literally and figuratively.
He’ll get another crack at the Mavericks on Saturday when the two teams meet again in San Antonio. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET on Prime Video, and the Spurs will be looking to push their winning streak to four games.
As for the Perkins comparison? It might raise some eyebrows, but if the point is about challenging expectations and rewriting the mold, Wemby’s making that case loud and clear - one deep three and chasedown block at a time.