LeBron James Offers New 'Special' Praise of Wemby

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James Offers New 'Special' Praise of Victor Wembanyama After San Antonio Spurs 129-115 Win

It is a rare occasion when LeBron James takes the floor in an NBA game ... and LeBron James is not the big story.

But that was the case in on Friday as the San Antonio Spurs beat LeBron's Los Angeles Lakers 129-115 with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama serving as the Spurs' most impactful player right when the home team - losers of 18 straight coming in - needed some impact.

“Feels like a playoff game for me,” said Wembanyama, who totaled a boxscore-stuffing 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. “We love this feeling."

And LeBron, returning to the lineup from his nagging left calf injury to finish with 23 points, seven rebounds and 14 assists? He loves him some Wemby, too.

“Special talent,” said James of the 7-4 Frenchman, who he once complimented by calling him an "alien." “They got a good one here.”

There were moments during which the two generational talents - LeBron, at 40 still a mighty force and Wemby at 19 still a basketball baby - interacted ... one time with James in the corner, guarded by the incredibly long Wembanyama, eventually launching a high-arcing moon shot that swished home.

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On this night? LeBron was good. But Wemby and the Spurs, dropping LA to 15-11 and themselves still just 4-20 and in last place in the Western Conference standings, were better. 

“This is what I’m addicted to," Wemby said, of the competition and the win. "This is what I love."