San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama threw down a emphatic dunk on Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James during the second quarter of their NBA matchup. The 7-foot-4 phenom drove hard to the rim after faking out forward Rui Hachimura, leaving James contesting futilely in mid-air. LeBron James remained sidelined with sciatica for the Lakers.
Playing in Los Angeles for the first time this season as part of ESPN's national TV doubleheader, Victor Wembanyama made an immediate impact against the Lakers. In the second quarter, Wembanyama pump-faked Rui Hachimura out of position before rising for a powerful dunk over Bronny James, who leaped to contest but appeared to recognize the mismatch mid-air.
Earlier in the game, ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson had praised Wembanyama's two-handed reverse windmill dunk from opening night against the Dallas Mavericks as the greatest highlight he had ever seen. However, Wembanyama's time on the court was cut short in the first half, limited to 16 minutes after picking up his third foul with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter.
Entering the matchup, Wembanyama was averaging 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 4.7 blocks per game. He shot 84.6 percent on attempts within three feet of the basket this season. The Spurs were rebounding from their first loss of the year on Sunday in Phoenix, where Wembanyama recorded nine points, nine rebounds, and six blocks, ending his streak of five consecutive double-doubles to start the campaign.