The basketball world has seen some dominant performances, but what Victor Wembanyama did on Tuesday night, February 10, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena was nothing short of extraterrestrial. In a display of sheer offensive force, “Wemby” ignited for 25 points in the first eight minutes of play, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a definitive 136-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
A First Quarter for the Record Books
Wembanyama didn’t just start the game; he took it over. Entering the matchup with a mindset he described as “proving a point,” the French phenom scored 17 of the Spurs’ first points in just over four minutes. By the time he checked out for a rest with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter, he had tallied 25 points on an incredible 8-of-9 shooting, including three triples.
This scoring outburst set a new franchise record for the most points in a single quarter during the play-by-play era (dating back to 1997-98). To put that in perspective, neither Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, nor David Robinson ever reached that mark in a single frame during their storied Spurs careers.
Rewriting the Spurs History Books
Wembanyama’s dominance didn’t stop with the first-quarter buzzer. He finished the first half with 37 points, marking the highest-scoring half by any NBA player this season and the most by a Spurs player in the 21st century.
Key Stats from Wembanyama’s Masterclass:
- Total Points: 40 (37 in the first half)
- Minutes Played: 26
- Rebounds: 12
- Efficiency: 12-of-17 from the field, 10-of-12 from the free-throw line
- History Made: Joined an elite group as one of only three players in the last 50 seasons to score 40+ points in 27 minutes or fewer.
The “Tim Duncan” Comparison
The New York Times’ The Athletic and other outlets have quickly pointed out how Wembanyama is eclipsing the statistical milestones of Spurs legend Tim Duncan. While Duncan was the bedrock of five championships with his “Big Fundamental” style, Wembanyama is redefining the “big man” archetype.
By surpassing Duncan’s record for the highest-scoring half in franchise history, Wembanyama is proving that he isn’t just a defensive anchor-he is a legitimate offensive engine. At just 22 years old, his ability to score from the perimeter while maintaining a 7-foot-4 presence in the paint makes him a “different animal,” as former Spur Sean Elliott recently noted.
Shorthanded Lakers Left Without Answers
The Lakers entered the contest severely disadvantaged, missing stars LeBron James (who missed his 18th game of the season, ending his historic All-NBA streak), Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves.
Despite the Lakers’ injury woes, Wembanyama’s aggression was relentless. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s squad capitalized on the mismatch early, building a 30-point lead by halftime. The blowout allowed the Spurs to rest their starters for much of the fourth quarter, preserving energy for the second night of a back-to-back against Golden State.
The Verdict: The Wemby Era is Here
The San Antonio Spurs have now won five straight games and 10 of their last 13. While the team’s depth-highlighted by rookie Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper-has been impressive, Tuesday night was a reminder that the NBA belongs to Victor Wembanyama.
By the time the final buzzer sounded in Los Angeles, one thing was clear: Wembanyama isn’t just chasing the ghosts of Spurs legends; he’s building a haunted house of his own.
