Nov 13, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) is congratulated by teammates and fans after scoring a career high fifty points during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

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Youngest players to score 50 points in a game ft. Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama makes NBA history with a 50-point game

Victor Wembanyama just became the fourth-youngest player to hit 50 points in a single NBA game, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 139-130 victory over the Washington Wizards.

The Rookie of the Year had struggled with his 3-point shooting early on, hitting just 14 threes in his first nine games this season with a low 22.6% success rate. This sparked questions about how the Spurs were using their emerging superstar.

Victor Wembanyama is the youngest center in NBA history to have a 50-point game. pic.twitter.com/IJziBK9bl8
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) November 14, 2024

But over the past three games, those doubts seem to be fading. In a Saturday game against the Jazz, Wembanyama went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, scoring 24 points. He followed that on Monday against the Kings, making six more threes out of 12 attempts, helping the Spurs pull off an upset win over Sacramento.

And on Wednesday, Victor Wembanyama delivered his best scoring performance yet, fueled again by his shooting from deep.

He put up 50 points, shooting 18-of-29 from the floor, and nailed eight of his 16 3-point attempts in the 139-130 win over the Wizards. His shooting from downtown was key to his record-breaking night.

Who are the other three youngest players to score 50 points in a game?

Three players scored 50 points at a younger age than the 20-year-old Wembanyama: Brandon Jennings, LeBron James, who had his third consecutive triple-double, and Devin Booker. Each reached this milestone at age 20, with Jennings and Booker as guards and James as a forward. This feat also makes Wembanyama the youngest center in NBA history to score 50 points in a game.

This achievement places him far ahead in the record books. The next youngest center to reach 50 points was Shaquille O’Neal, who did so at 22 years and 45 days. Wembanyama reached the mark at just 20 years and 314 days, over a year earlier.

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA TONIGHT

• 50 POINTS (CAREER-HIGH)
• 8 THREES (CAREER-HIGH)
• 18/29 FG

all in 32 MINUTES PLAYED

UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/YeTGHlPWPw
— Bala 💫 (@BalaPattySZN) November 14, 2024

He also made Spurs history as the first player on the team to score 50 points with at least five 3-pointers in a game. However, it wasn’t a “Wembygami,” which is a stat line never before seen in NBA history. Luka Doncic also reached 50 points, eight 3-pointers, six rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal in a single game, putting Wembanyama in rare company with another likely Hall of Famer.

For a final record, Wembanyama can take pride in becoming the tallest player in NBA history to make eight 3-pointers in a single game.

Image: © Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama

Natasha Bose

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