Victor Wembanyama's early-season struggles have given way to a historic run, as the San Antonio Spurs center has transformed his shot diet to dominate inside the paint. After a 1-for-13 opening-night performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wembanyama has averaged 31.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.3 blocks on 52 percent shooting over his last seven games, powering the Spurs to six consecutive victories following an 0-2 start.
Career-night against Mavericks
The latest triumph came Wednesday in a 112-111 thriller over the Dallas Mavericks, where Wembanyama scored the Spurs' final seven points and 11 of their last 13, hitting the game-winning free throw. His final line read 52 points, 24 rebounds and eight blocks, making him the first player to reach those marks since Bob McAdoo in 1974. Only Wilt Chamberlain has recorded at least 50 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocks in a game, though blocks were not an official stat at the time. Wembanyama also posted 29 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in the first half, a halftime line unmatched in the last 30 years.
Historic milestones
The 22-year-old became the only player in history with multiple games of at least 40 points and five blocks before age 23. He is also the fourth player ever to accumulate at least 200 points and 30 blocks through the first eight games of a season in two consecutive years, joining Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Patrick Ewing.
Shift to interior dominance
The statistical leap stems from a deliberate change in shot selection. Through eight games, Wembanyama is attempting 10.1 shots from the restricted area and 12.0 from inside the paint per game, up from 6.0 and 8.9 last season. His dunk attempts have nearly doubled to 5.1 per game, putting him on pace to surpass Rudy Gobert's single-season record of 302 dunks. He now takes 42 percent of his shots within three feet, compared to 33 percent a year ago.
Rather than relying on perimeter jumpers, Wembanyama is attacking the rim via rolls, offensive rebounds and show-and-go drives. The Spurs have also initiated pick-and-rolls lower on the floor, allowing him to catch the ball closer to the basket. Even his off-the-backboard lobs to himself originate from the free-throw line, showcasing his unique reach.
Balancing the perimeter threat
While his three-point shooting sits at 24 percent and mid-range accuracy at 28 percent, the threat of his outside shot continues to space the floor. De'Aaron Fox has noted the effectiveness of Wembanyama popping to the free-throw area for soft-spot jumpers. When the outside shots begin falling, his already dominant interior game could become virtually unstoppable. For now, Wembanyama is wisely erring toward the paint, where his size and length give him an insurmountable advantage.
