Wembanyama scores 40 in 25 minutes as Spurs win 9th straight - ESPN

PHOENIX — Victor Wembanyama wrapped up another jaw-dropping performance Monday night early in the fourth quarter, casually bringing the ball up the court before crossing over Khaman Maluach a few times, dribbling between his legs and then behind his back before gliding past him for an easy layup.

It was a ridiculous moment for the 7-foot-4 center — and maybe the fourth- or fifth-most impressive thing he did in another night full of superlatives.

Wembanyama finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in just 25 minutes to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Phoenix Suns 122-96 for their ninth straight win. The performance comes just five days after he set career highs with 52 points and 24 rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.

«It feels like where I want to be,» Wembanyama said.

He became the second player since minutes were first tracked in 1951-52 to score 40 or more points in under 26 minutes, along with Sleepy Floyd on Feb. 26, 1991 (40 points in 24 minutes).

Wembanyama played like an MVP from the moment he stepped on the court Monday, pouring in 14 points in the first quarter and 22 by halftime. He scored on an array of 3-pointers, jumpers and dunks, all while swatting away shots on the defensive end with ease.

Suns coach Jordan Ott had a defensive plan for Wembanyama before the game, but it didn't work.

«He just does it from all three levels right now and then anytime he has a switch, they just literally throw the ball to the top of the backboard [for a dunk],» Ott said. «When that starts, it's so deflating and it's tough to overcome. But he does it to everyone.»

Suns' five-time All-Star Devin Booker finished with a team-high 32 points, but it wasn't enough to match Wemby.

«It's something like we've