Victor Wembanyama Puts Entire NBA on Notice Over Lack of All-Star Game Competitiveness
On a night when the Los Angeles Lakers were without Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, Victor Wembanyama made sure the spotlight still had a superstar to follow.
The 7-foot-4 phenom erupted for 40 points and 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes, powering the San Antonio Spurs to a 136-108 rout at Crypto.com Arena.
It was a historic outing, also the first time in NBA history a player has posted at least 40 points and 12 boards in 26 minutes or fewer. Even more staggering was his maniac stat line came when he poured in 37 of those points in the first half, including 25 in the opening quarter.
But Wembanyama wasn’t done sending messages. Ahead of All-Star Weekend, he addressed the long-standing criticism surrounding the exhibition’s lack of intensity.
“That comes from the fact that I’ve seen the All-Star game and obviously, it hasn’t been competitive,” Wembanyama said. “I’ve always thought myself that if I was in there, I’m never stepping on to the court to lose or not caring. Just like at home, I’m never stepping into a board game not caring if I’m going to lose. So I’m thinking it’s (not) ok to lose, so I’m going to be out there, I might as well win.”
Asked Victor Wembanyama why he wants to bring the competitiveness back to the All-Star game:
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) February 11, 2026
“That comes from the fact that I’ve seen the All-Star game and obviously, it hasn’t been competitive. I’ve always thought myself that if I was in there, I’m never stepping on to the… pic.twitter.com/trjYQH2S0S
However, the NBA has restructured this year’s format into a USA vs. World showdown in an attempt to inject pride and urgency into the event. If Wembanyama’s mindset is any indication, the “World” side won’t be treating it like a glorified layup line.
He’s currently averaging career highs across the board with 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 51.2% from the field, and 37% from three, all while anchoring a Spurs team that has won five straight and sits 37-16 entering the break.
Victor Wembanyama Is Leading France’s NBA Takeover
While France’s basketball rise once felt gradual, it now feels inevitable. From Tony Parker opening doors two decades ago to today’s surge of lottery picks, the pipeline has become undeniable. Wembanyama is the centerpiece as the first overall pick, an All-Star starter, and arguably the face of the NBA’s international era.
France currently has 19 players on NBA or G League rosters. Twelve were first-round picks. Seven were lottery selections in the last three drafts. Alongside Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher also went No. 1 overall, underscoring the country’s depth.
Surprisingly, the last U.S.-born MVP was James Harden in 2019. Since then, international stars have dominated the conversation.
If the All-Star Game has lacked edge in recent years, Wembanyama intends to fix that personally. And if his 40-point statement was any preview, the rest of the NBA might want to brace for impact.
Victor Wembanyama Puts Entire NBA on Notice Over Lack of All-Star Game Competitiveness
News Daily Reports
No comments: