San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Talks First Matchup vs. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama has been so entrenched in the spotlight that facing off against NBA players he's idolized for years hardly fazes him.
But whether he'll admit it or not, Tuesday's meeting with the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center might likely bring about some different emotions of excitement for Wembanyama as he gets set to battle Suns star Kevin Durant for the first time. Two unique players that have drawn almost no comparison to any player except each other comes from their ability to nearly be unguardable.
Wembanyama admitted following Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that this is what has made him such a big fan of KD.
"I like the fact that for years and years, nobody found a way to guard him really, consistently,” Wembanyama said. “This is probably the reason why he was one of my top favorite players ever."
Kevin Durant (left) and Victor Wembanyama
USA TODAY
With Wembanyama's early-season debut and the other young league-wide star power taking most of the attention, Durant has casually averaged 27.7 points per game (eighth-best in the NBA), 8.7 rebounds and four assists through three games this season. This was highlighted by a 39-point, 11-rebound performance in Phoenix's 100-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Durant scored over a third of his team's total points in the loss as Devin Booker was sidelined due to a foot injury.
Fans expect this from arguably the greatest scorer of all time, but Durant vs. Wembanyama is a head-to-head matchup that many people have had circled on the calendar since the regular-season schedule came out. Now, it's finally here.
The Spurs and Suns tip off at 9 p.m. CT on TNT tonight.
