Nikola Jokic Praises San Antonio Spurs’ Phenom Victor Wembanyama: ‘Going to Change the Game'

The Denver Nuggets handed the San Antonio Spurs their 12th straight loss, but Nikola Jokic still had high praise for Victor Wembanyama.

As expected, the San Antonio Spurs lost to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, 132-120. Nikola Jokic showcased why he is the league’s best player, scoring 39 points and falling just one assist shy of a triple-double.

Unlike Jokic, Victor Wembanyama entered the league with the expectation that he would be the next great NBA big man, and he did not disappoint, either. The 19-year-old rookie scored 22 points and matched Jokic with 11 rebounds. He also added four blocks and a career-high six steals, being the first rookie to have a game that good.

Nikola Jokic tries to score on Victor Wembanyama / © Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY

After the game, Jokic, a two-time MVP, gave his thoughts on what Wembanyama brings to the league. 

“He is 19 years old,” Jokic said. “He is not getting scared of getting tired. He’s playing hard, and he doesn’t take it for granted. He’s making mistakes, which is normal. I think the media around him doesn’t help him, but he’s gonna get used to it. He’s gonna change the game, 100%. And he’s already on that path.”

While basketball comes easy to Jokic, Wembanyama made things harder on him. Jokic admitted that he did not adjust for Wembanyama’s eight-foot wingspan, and regretted it. He praised Wembanyama’s overall defense, claiming that he is one of the rare players who can guard all five positions.

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The Spurs still have a long way to go before they become competitive, and even longer before they become contenders, but they have the player that they will build around, and it’s just a matter of time before they start winning games.