'Absurd,' 'Not From This Planet' -- NBA World Reacts As Victor Wembanyama Makes History With Shot-Blocking Spree in Wolves-Spurs Game 1
'Absurd,' 'Not From This Planet' -- NBA World Reacts As Victor Wembanyama Makes History With Shot-Blocking Spree in Wolves-Spurs Game 1
NBA

‘Absurd,’ ‘Not From This Planet’ — NBA World Reacts as Victor Wembanyama Makes History With Shot-Blocking Spree in Wolves-Spurs Game 1

Victor Wembanyama's historic shot-blocking clinic in the Spurs' Game 1 home clash vs. Minnesota sparks disbelief.

Victor Wembanyama wasted no time making his presence felt in the San Antonio Spurs’ Game 1 home clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

The 7-foot-4 phenom logged a staggering 7 first-half blocks to kick off the second-round Western Conference playoff series. Wembanyama then set the league’s all-time single-game postseason blocks record in the second half, leaving the NBA world in awe of his defensive prowess.

Victor Wembanyama’s Historic Shot-Blocking Clinic Sparks Disbelief

Wembanyama entered Round 2 having recorded a combined 13 blocks over his previous two playoff outings against the Portland Trail Blazers. The two-time All-Star picked up right where he left off, swatting two shots in the first minute of Monday’s contest.

After coming over as a help defender to thwart Timberwolves wing Terrence Shannon Jr. on the opening possession, Wembanyama promptly secured a chase-down block on Shannon a play later, creating a viral sequence.

Wembanyama continued wreaking havoc against Minnesota for the rest of the night, reaching double-figure blocks late in the third quarter after coming over to erase guard Bones Hyland’s layup attempt.

Early in the fourth quarter, Wembanyama extinguished Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards inside for his 11th denial, marking a single-game playoff record.

The 2023 No. 1 pick finished the evening with an eye-popping 12 blocks, with his relentless rim protection leaving the NBA community on X buzzing.

“What an absurd defensive talent,” Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor gushed.

“Not from this planet 👽,” SportsCenter wrote.

“The gap in Victor Wembanyama’s shot blocking and the rest of NBA history is comparable to Steph Curry and his shooting,” NBA podcaster Drew Velez asserted.

“It’s only his 5th playoff game,” StatMuse pointed out.

“STOP TRYING TO TAKE IT UP ON WEMBY! This team is so dumb. It’s either a goaltend that isn’t called, a block, or a wild shot,” another user urged Minnesota.

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However, some, including veteran NBA analyst Skip Bayless, noted that the Timberwolves were undaunted by Wembanyama’s interior presence.

“Wemby is ‘dominating,’ yet he’s not intimidating the visitors into submission. They do not look at all scared,” Bayless observed.

Unfortunately for Wembanyama, his record-setting performance didn’t result in a victory. San Antonio was upset 104-102 as Minnesota executed better down the stretch, utilizing a smaller lineup in the fourth quarter, and held him in check for much of the game with its physicality.

The Spurs still had a chance to win on the contest’s final possession. However, forward Julian Champagnie came up well short on an open 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Despite logging a triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks, Wembanyama shot just 5-for-17 (29.4%), missing all 8 of his 3-point attempts as his offensive output failed to come close to his unprecedented defensive production.

Tristan Rawcliffe
Written by Tristan Rawcliffe

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