Victor Wembanyama continues to reach new heights. The San Antonio Spurs superstar could join NBA legend Tim Duncan after an impressive performance against the Miami Heat on March 23.
San Antonio blew out Miami 136-111 on Monday night. The game was essentially over before the final buzzer sounded because the Spurs maintained a 30-point lead in the second half. Wembanyama led his squad with 26 points on 11-of-22 shooting, 15 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks. He recorded this outstanding line in just 26 minutes.
Victor Wembanyama Nears Record Set by Spurs Legend Tim Duncan
This performance marked his fourth game with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks this season. The 22-year-old only needs one more game with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks to tie Duncan, who accomplished the feat five times in the 2001-02 campaign. Wembanyama has 10 more regular-season contests to reach the 15-time All-Star.
Wembanyama averages 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steal, and a whopping 3.0 blocks per game. He has led the NBA in blocked shots for the first three campaigns of his career. The 6-foot-4 center strikes fear into opposing players when they drive to the rim. His combination of height, wingspan, athleticism, and timing makes him one of the most feared shot blockers in NBA history.
MORE: Victor Wembanyama Vows to Leave ‘No Debate’ in NBA MVP Race by Season’s End
Arguably, Wembanyama’s most impressive block against Miami came at the beginning of the second quarter. 2025-26 All-Star Norman Powell cleverly used a hesitation dribble on the wing to freeze the Spurs center. He drove baseline and went up for a reverse layup, using the rim as an obstacle for Wembanyama. However, it did not matter because Wembanyama reached from the other side of the basket and swatted the ball away.
Wembanyama regularly makes incredible plays. Even the San Antonio broadcasting crew could not believe the block. “Powell being chased by Victor, and he just blows it up! Just absolutely ridiculous,” said Jacob Tobey and Sean Elliott.
Wembanyama’s Defensive Dominance Outpaces Duncan’s Early Years
Tim Duncan and Wembanyama share this elite shot-blocking skill. Duncan never averaged fewer than 2.0 blocks per game until he averaged 1.9 in his 11th season, 2007-08. However, the Hall of Famer never took home Defensive Player of the Year honors. In fact, he never finished higher than third for the award.
Wembanyama has already eclipsed Duncan in this category. The 2026 All-Star finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting in his 2023-24 rookie season. He can certainly win his first and other awards this season, but he must reach the 65-game mark to qualify. Wembanyama must play nine of the final 10 regular-season games, or he becomes ineligible for end-of-season awards.
