Victor Wembanyama isn’t wasting any time reminding everyone why he’s one of the most hyped prospects in recent NBA history.
The French phenom, who saw his 2024-25 season cut short due to a shoulder issue, returned to the floor in preseason looking like a player possessed.
His exceptional outing against the Indiana Pacers stunned fans, and opponents probably wondered how to defend someone who moves like a guard but plays like a giant.
What Did the Fans Say After Watching Victor Wembanyama’s Physicality?
Wembanyama seems to have picked up right where he left off before his shoulder DVT last season. The French big man exploded for 19 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes through just one half of play.
By the night’s end, he had 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block on 9-for-13 shooting, helping the Spurs to a 124-108 win over the Pacers.
But the numbers weren’t the only thing that caught attention. It was how he did it.
In one of the game’s highlight plays, Wembanyama powered through the paint, bumped off 7-foot-1 Jay Huff, and threw down a thunderous dunk.
That dunk instantly went viral and summed up a significant change in Wembanyama’s approach. The French phenom has often been criticized for taking too many threes instead of using his massive frame near the rim. Now, it seems he’s been listening.
One fan on X declared, “League is cooked,” capturing what many people were thinking after seeing Wemby bulldoze his way to the rim.
Another doubled down on the sentiment with a simple, “It’s over 👽,” referencing the alien-like dominance that’s become Wembanyama’s trademark.
A third fan added, “Oh yeah, it’s over once he starts doing this consistently,” hinting that this version of Wemby — the aggressive, inside-attacking one — might take the league by storm if it becomes a regular sight.
Still, not everyone was completely sold. A few fans pointed out what they thought was a missed travel on the viral dunk. “This a travel, big bro,” one fan joked.
While another laughed, “lol uncalled travel.”
Despite those minor criticisms, most people agreed that the play was just another sign of how quickly Wembanyama is evolving.
Wembanyama Looks to Turn Around After Last Season’s Debacle
The Spurs are now 4-0 in preseason play, and Wembanyama looks like he’s already in midseason form. His dominance against the Pacers might have come against a team thin at the center position, but his control of the paint and improved footwork showed how much he’s developed in the offseason.
Wembanyama worked with legends Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon over the summer, focusing on post moves, balance, and physical play. It’s already paying off. Plays like his quick second-chance putback in the second quarter show his instincts and how effortless the game looks for him at times.
Before his injury last year, Wembanyama was on track to compete for the Defensive Player of the Year award and even led the league in blocks. The Spurs were 21-25 with Wembanyama in the lineup and 13-23 without him.
They finished 13th in the Western Conference with a 34-48 record, missing the playoffs. This year, though, the team’s chemistry looks sharper, and their star player looks more confident, both physically and mentally.
As San Antonio prepares to face the Pacers again on Friday, Oct 17, in their final preseason matchup, all eyes will be on Wembanyama. If this preseason performance is a preview of what’s coming, fans might be right that the league really could be in trouble.
