On Tuesday night, Victor Wembanyama scored 37 points in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers136-108, and suddenly a historic NBA question resurfaced.
By halftime, Wembanyama had taken over. He stretched the floor, attacked the rim and controlled the tempo. He finished with 40 total points, though he added only three after the break as the game quickly turned into a blowout.
The performance reignited conversation around one of basketball’s most untouchable records: the 100-point game set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962 with the Philadelphia Warriors. For decades, that number has felt unreachable. After Tuesday, it felt at least discussable.
The 100-point debate feels real again
The discussion gained traction on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back”, where former NBA players Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams offered contrasting opinions.
Parsons leaned optimistic. “If there’s anyone that’s gonna do it, I think it’s him,” he said, pointing to Wembanyama’s maturity and long-term ceiling. He also acknowledged the context, noting the absence of stars such as LeBron James and Luka Doncic, which affected the competitiveness of the matchup.
“If you see the way he’s talking about All-Star Weekend, his approach is just different. His maturity is just different. This game, it was just the Wemby show…
Williams took a more measured stance.“First of all, he doesn’t shoot enough,” he argued, suggesting that reaching 100 would require extreme shot volume and a scoring mentality that prioritizes attempts over balance.
That may be the key variable.
Against the Lakers, Wembanyama attempted 20 field goals and 12 free throws. His career high remains 50 points, set in November 2024 against the Washington Wizards, when he took 29 shots, including 16 three-pointers, and 13 free throws. Even that workload falls far short of what history suggests would be necessary to approach 100.
“I just don’t think he has the mentality to go out there and take 50-60 reps…
Since Chamberlain’s performance, the closest modern comparison remains Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006 with the Los Angeles Lakers. Devin Booker scored 70 in 2017. Despite the NBA’s rise in pace and offensive efficiency in recent seasons, verified through official league statistics, no one has seriously threatened triple digits.
Why Wembanyama’s skill set makes the 100-point question legitimate
What makes Wembanyama different is his versatility. At his size, he can score from anywhere without forcing isolation-heavy possessions. Still, San Antonio’s system emphasizes team flow and long-term development over individual stat chasing, which complicates the path toward such a historic milestone.
The Spurs return to action later this week against stronger defensive competition. Consistency, health and game context will matter far more than hypothetical numbers.
“If there’s anyone that’s gonna do it, I think it’s him…
The 100-point record remains untouched for more than 60 years. But after 37 points in one half, the conversation around Victor Wembanyama no longer feels unrealistic.
Game statistics verified through official NBA box scores. Historical scoring records confirmed via NBA.com archives. Commentary referenced from FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.”
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