Victor Wembanyama Torches Lakers With Historic Scoring Outburst

Spurs rookie phenom scores 40 points in just 26 minutes against depleted Lakers squad

Feb. 11, 2026 at 10:23am

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Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama put on a historic scoring display, pouring in 40 points in just 26 minutes of play as the San Antonio Spurs routed the Los Angeles Lakers 136-108. Wembanyama scored 37 points in the first half alone, the most by any player this season, and became just the third player in NBA history to score 40+ points in 26 minutes or less.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's dominant performance further cements his status as one of the league's most exciting young talents. The Spurs are now firmly in playoff position in the Western Conference, thanks in large part to the rapid development of their prized rookie. Wembanyama's scoring outburst also highlighted the Lakers' injury woes, as LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and several other key players sat out the game.

The details

Wembanyama was unstoppable from the opening tip, scoring 17 of the Spurs' first 20 points and finishing the first quarter with 25 points. He added 12 more in the second quarter to reach 37 points by halftime, the most in a first half by any player this season. Wembanyama shot 13-for-20 from the field, including 4-for-6 from three-point range, and also grabbed 12 rebounds. The Spurs built an enormous 84-55 lead by halftime and cruised to the victory, allowing Wembanyama to rest for much of the second half.

  • Wembanyama scored 25 points in the first quarter.
  • Wembanyama scored 37 points in the first half, the most by any player this season.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 19-year-old French basketball player who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. He is considered one of the most promising young talents in the league.

LeBron James

A veteran NBA player and one of the greatest basketball players of all time, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Luka Dončić

A young NBA superstar who plays for the Dallas Mavericks.

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What they’re saying

“I was also pushing to go back, but I mean, they did the right thing by keeping me on the bench. We got to think long term. But yeah, these kind of games, you got to have the greed. I mean, every game you have to have this greed to want more every time, because you know at all times it doesn't matter who's on the court, it's somebody who's going to want to stop you from doing what you do out there. So you got to be greedy.”

— Victor Wembanyama

What’s next

The Spurs will look to continue their strong season as they push for a deep playoff run, with Wembanyama leading the way. The Lakers, meanwhile, will hope to get healthy and bounce back from this lopsided defeat.

The takeaway

Victor Wembanyama's historic scoring outburst against the Lakers underscores his immense talent and potential as one of the NBA's most exciting young stars. The Spurs' success this season has been fueled by Wembanyama's rapid development, and he appears poised to lead them on a deep playoff run in the highly competitive Western Conference.