Victor Wembanyama has 20 points in 19 minutes in NBA preseason debut

Victor Wembanyama made his NBA preseason debut in the SanAntonio Spurs' 122-121 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Mondaynight.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft played finishedwith an impressive 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 threes and ablock in just 19 minutes. Wembanyama shot 8-of-13 (61.5%) from thefield, 2-of-5 (40%) from three-point range and 2-of-3 (66.6%) fromthe free-throw line. He also had four turnovers and two personalfouls.

Wembanyama became the first Spurs rookie to record 20 points ina preseason game since DeJuan Blair did so in 2009, according toESPN Stats and Info.

Wemby was matched up against last year's No. 2 overall pick ChetHolmgren, who had 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 threes and a block in 16minutes, while shooting 7-of-10 (70%) from the field, 2-of-2 (100%)from three-point range and 5-of-7 (71.4%) from the free-throwline.

“My best games are when I put energy on the court,” Wembanyamasaid after the contest, per The Rookie Wire. “I’m a rookie.What I gotta do is play defense and play hard and give it 100%. Igotta be tired when I get subbed out. I was just trying to putenergy out at all times.”

"He just went out and played," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovichsaid of Wemby. "[There was] nobig game plan for him or anything like that. He just playedbasketball, which he likes to do and is good at.”

Wembanyama had several highlight plays throughout his limitedaction, including an impressive scoop finish against Holmgren andan and-one where he scored on Holmgren through contact.

He showed off his complete game — making plays with his handle,shooting and defense. You can watch the complete highlights fromWemby's debut above.

The Spurs' next preseason game is Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at homeagainst the Miami Heat.

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