San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has been the talk of the NBA, leading the team to a 5-1 start to the season. The Spurs face a tough test in their next game: a road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, who are right behind them in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers are aware that stopping Wembanyama will be a tough challenge, and one of their players provided insight on Wembanyama’s strengths.
What Did A Lakers Player Say About Victor Wembanyama
Speaking to the media, Lakers center Jaxson Hayes shared his thoughts on guarding Wembanyama. Hayes said, ” We played him last year and the year before. You still see the stuff he’s doing, which is unbelievable. Seven foot five doing what Luka does. It’s crazy.”
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes on facing Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama tonight: “He’s 7-5, doing what freakin’ Luka does. It’s crazy.” pic.twitter.com/CazkrXpo8F
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 5, 2025
The game has certainly slowed down for the Spurs’ first overall pick in 2023. Wembanyama is averaging 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game this season. He’s shooting 52.7% from the field and has a plus/minus rating of +11.2. He’s ranked third in the league with a 97.9 defensive rating, and is solidly in the early conversation for the Most Valuable Player Award.
Hayes believes that Wembanyama compares favorably to Doncic, who is averaging 41.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game this season, while shooting 54.5% from the field. Both stars are generational talents, and even though they play different positions, they are both capable of taking over games in similar ways.
Hoje tem Lakers x Spurs, e Victor Wembanyama falou sobre mais uma chance de enfrentar Lula Doncic
“O Luka é um dos jogadores mais difíceis de analisar, porque ele entende e domina o jogo melhor do que qualquer um. Acho que nunca venci ele.”pic.twitter.com/cCK9j9vtiu
— NBA do Povo 🏀🇧🇷 (@NBAdoPovo) November 5, 2025
Wembanyama has improved as a playmaker and ball handler this season, becoming more comfortable at making the passes Doncic routinely makes when double-teamed. He’s also improved his ability to get to the free-throw line, something that is one of Doncic’s signature qualities.
Wembanyama is averaging eight free-throw attempts per game so far this season, which would easily be a career high over a full season. By comparison, Doncic has averaged over eight free throw attempts per game in a season five times in his career. He’s averaging 13.5 free throw attempts in four games this season.
Wembanyama is also becoming a capable long-range shooter like Doncic, even if both stars struggle with efficiency at times. Wembanyama is currently in a slight slump, having made just two of his last ten three-point attempts. That’s dropped his three-point percentage down to 28.6% for the season. However, his 61% true shooting percentage is another strong indicator of his elite play to start the season.
At just 21 years old, Wembanyama still has several years before reaching his prime, while the 26-year-old Doncic is on the verge of starting his. The offensive strides that Wembanyama has made this season are a clear sign that he’s becoming an un-guardable player similar to a healthy Doncic.
There’s now a legitimate conversation about who will win the league’s MVP award first, a massive testament to Wembanyama’s ascension.
