LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Sensational San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to help the Spurs withstand a stunning 61-point performance from New York’s Jalen Brunson in a 130-126 National Basketball Association overtime victory over the Knicks on Friday.
French star Wembanyama became the first rookie to record a 40-point, 20-rebound game since Shaquille O’Neal had 46 and 21 in 1993.
The 20-year-old added seven assists, two steals and a blocked shot as he and the Spurs spoiled a career night for Brunson — who finished one point shy of the Knicks’ franchise record of 62 points in a game, set by Carmelo Anthony in 2014.
The scintillating show in San Antonio overshadowed Minnesota’s 111-98 victory over the reigning champion Denver Nuggets that vaulted the Timberwolves into a tie for the Western Conference lead, alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder — which beat the Phoenix Suns 128-103.
The Nuggets dropped from first to third, one half-game behind the Timberwolves and Thunder.
Brunson notched the fifth-highest points total of this high-scoring season, but he missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with 5.4 seconds left in overtime.
Wembanyama’s three-pointer with 1:12 left in overtime had put the Spurs up 128-124.
After Spurs guard Tre Jones made two free-throws with 1.1 seconds left, Wembanyama came up with a steal and it was over.
The Spurs, who won a third-straight game for the first time this season, scored 74 points in the first half and led most of the night.
But the Knicks, fueled by Brunson’s 38 second-half points, grabbed the lead for the first time when Donte DiVincenzo’s three-pointer made it 113-112 with 4:39 left in regulation.
