The three-time league MVP returned the compliment by calling Wembanyama “one that’s going to be remembered forever.”

Playing a night before his 21 st birthday, and on the occasion of his 100 th career game, Wembanyama led the Spurs with 35 points and 18 rebounds. He also picked up five fouls, making the stretch run of the fourth-quarter a tightrope walk, and flirted with an unofficial triple double by committing eight turnovers.