Wembanyama scores 40 as Spurs rout shorthanded Lakers

Rookie sensation leads San Antonio to blowout victory in Los Angeles

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Victor Wembanyama scored 37 points in the first half and finished with 40 points and 12 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs cruised to a 136-108 victory over the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Wembanyama set the tone early, scoring 17 points in the first 4:14 of the game, and the Spurs led by as many as 41 points in the second half.

Why it matters

The dominant performance by Wembanyama against a shorthanded Lakers team highlights the 7-foot-4 rookie's ability to take over a game and lead the Spurs to victory, even against quality competition. It also showcases the depth and talent of the Spurs' young roster, with rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant combining for 31 points off the bench.

The details

Wembanyama made 13 of 20 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, and 10 of 12 free throws. The Spurs led 84-55 at halftime after scoring 47 points in the first quarter, equaling their franchise record for most points in an opening frame. With the win, the Spurs improved to 37-16 on the season.

  • Wembanyama scored 21 points in the first 4:14 of the game.
  • Wembanyama had 37 points at halftime, the most in the NBA since October 2024.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 7-foot-4 rookie center for the San Antonio Spurs who is considered one of the most promising young players in the NBA.

Dylan Harper

A rookie guard for the San Antonio Spurs who scored 15 points with 6 assists off the bench.

Carter Bryant

A rookie forward for the San Antonio Spurs who scored a season-high 16 points off the bench.

LeBron James

A 41-year-old superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who missed the game due to injury.

Luke Kennard

A guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who scored 14 points, tying for the team high.

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What they’re saying

“The good thing is, we can match up with everybody and look anybody in the eye. The bad thing is, we look everybody in the eye.”

— Victor Wembanyama (expressnews.com)

The takeaway

Wembanyama's dominant performance against the shorthanded Lakers showcases his ability to take over a game and lead the Spurs to victory, even against quality competition. The depth and talent of the Spurs' young roster, with rookies Harper and Bryant contributing off the bench, is also a promising sign for the team's future.