Victor Wembanyama Did the Unthinkable vs. Wolves in History-Breaking Game

When the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Draft Lottery to pick No. 1 and select French giant Victor Wembanyama, it was considered a massive victory for the organization that had fallen on hard times following nearly a two-decade dynasty with Tim Duncan, Gregg Popovich, and others.

Even before he played his first NBA game, international experts believed he could one day become the best defender the league had ever seen.

On Monday, in the Western Conference playoffs between the Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves to open up their semifinal series, Wembanyama might have already achieved that goal in his third season in the NBA.

At 22 years of age.

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Since 1985, Mark Eaton has held the record for most blocks in a single NBA playoff game with 10. Over the decades, Hakeem Olajuwon (1990) and Andrew Bynum (2012) both tied the record, but no one could break it.

Well, that was until Wembanyama did it against the Timberwolves in only his second-ever playoff series.

He did it with over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, protecting the paint away from any attack or maneuver the ‘Wolves had about scoring a simple bucket.

Wembanyama was the heavy favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season in the league, but fell out of the race after missing the last quarter of the season due to blood clots in his right shoulder.

This season, though, remaining relatively healthy throughout the campaign, Wembanyama ran away with the award, becoming the first-ever unanimous winner.

By the time the Frenchman hangs up his sneakers for good, if he can stay on the floor, they might name the award after him by the time he’s all said and done with his NBA career.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 12:44 AM.