Victor Wembanyama shines late, helps deliver Spurs' first win - ESPN

SAN ANTONIO — As Keldon Johnson threw down a thunderous dunk with a second remaining to seal the San Antonio Spurs' first victory of the season, Victor Wembanyama leapt into the air as his teammate left the ground.

When the ball went through the basket, Wembanyama was already turned the other way, jumping up and down the court while imploring the Spurs' fans in the Frost Bank Center to get even louder than they already were.

It was also Wembanyama's late efforts — he tied the score late in the fourth quarter and gave the Spurs the lead for good in overtime — that helped propel San Antonio to a 126-122 win over the Houston Rockets.

«I really, really love winning,» Wembanyama said. «It's what I love most in life, so of course it feels great.»

Wembanyama finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. According to ESPN Stats and Information research, he became the first Spurs player with 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in a game since Tim Duncan and the second Spurs player in team history to have a 20-point, 10-rebound game within his first two career games, joining David Robinson.

Wembanyama shot 7-of-19 from the field and missed all six of his 3-point attempts but went 7-of-8 from the line and made it count when it mattered down the stretch.

Trailing by two on their final possession in regulation, the Spurs worked the ball around to Wembanyama, who was posted up against Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. Wembanyama drove toward the baseline, got into the paint and managed to get a shot to fall over the outstretched arms of Smith.

After Smith missed a potential tying 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, Wembanyama got the rebound but was tied up by Rockets guard Dillon Brooks, preventing the Spurs