Timberwolves Overcome Wembanyama's Stellar Performance to Win In-Season Tournament Opener

19-year-old Spurs player Victor Wembanyama impresses with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks, earning praise from mentor Rudy Gobert

Victor Wembanyama, the 19-year-old Spurs player, put up impressive numbers in the San Antonio Spurs’ first NBA In-Season Tournament game, scoring 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks, despite the team's 117-110 loss to Minnesota.
Wembanyama and his mentor, Rudy Gobert, exchanged jerseys after the game as a sign of respect. Gobert, who scored 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, praised Wembanyama's performance and dedication.
Despite Wembanyama's stellar performance, the Timberwolves managed to secure a victory, marking their fifth consecutive win. Key contributors included Karl-Anthony Towns with 29 points and 12 rebounds, and Anthony Edwards with 28 points.
Timberwolves' coach Chris Finch acknowledged Wembanyama's defensive prowess, noting that his team was overly cautious of him during the game. Finch encouraged his team to maintain their aggression, regardless of Wembanyama's shot-blocking ability.
Looking ahead, both Wembanyama and Gobert expressed excitement about the possibility of teaming up for the French national team in the 2024 Olympic tournament in France.