Entering the Rising Stars Challenge, Victor Wembanyama was a highly anticipated figure among NBA fans. However, his time on the court proved to be brief. Representing Team Pau in the challenge, Wembanyama and his squad suffered elimination at the hands of Team Detlef, enduring a substantial 41-25 defeat. Wembanyama scored a team-high 11 points. However, Team Detlef boasted two players reaching double figures: Mac McClung with a game-high 12 points and Alondes Williams with 11 points.
Post-game, Wembanyama reveals that he was “tired before it [Rising Stars Challenge] even started.” Reflecting on the entire All-Star Weekend, he expresses anticipation of its conclusion. He says, “I can’t wait until it’s over because I need these couple of days of rest to get back to being good during the season.”
It's been a long day for Wemby, and he's still got the skills challenge to complete tomorrow night. So is he tired?
"I was tired before it even started. I can't wait until it's over because I need these couple of days of rest to get back to be good during the season."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) February 17, 2024
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Wembanyama showcased an impressive scoring performance with 11 points, shooting an efficient 83% from the field (5-6). Additionally, he contributed with 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks. Despite these individual highlights, questions can arise about his overall performance, particularly due to his five turnovers in the 40-point game, resulting in a negative +/- of 2.
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Team Detlef, in contrast to Team Pau, consisted of G-League players. While this factor is enough of a surprise in Wembanyama’s team loss, his recent statements add more to that. Like most teams in the league, the San Antonio Spurs had their All-Star break days before the event. However, a contributing factor to Victor Wembanyama’s exhaustion could be the fact that the Spurs played five games in the eight days before the break. As much as Wembanyama wants the event to end, he will participate in tomorrow’s skills challenge.
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Who will Victor Wembanyama complete in the Skills Challenge?
Similar to the Rising Stars, it won’t be a leisurely outing for Wemby. For the regular NBA games, Wembanyama usually plays and struggles with a less talented squad. However, he will finally have an all-star-worthy teammate for the NBA Skills Challenge. The 2023 number 1 draft pick will join forces with the 2022 number 1 pick Paolo Banchero, and the 2020 number 1 pick, Anthony Edwards.
Together, the top picks will compete against the hosts, Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner within team Pacers. Moreover, they will also face the Team All-Stars. It consists of Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey, and Trae Young in the first event of the night.
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While Wembanyama has initially expressed disinterest in the weekend event, he has contrastingly declared his desire to participate in both the dunk contest and the 3-point shooting contest in the future.