- The 7ft 4in Wembanyama waved goodbye to his teenage years on Thursday
- But he was unable to save San Antonio from slumping to a fourth straight defeat
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Victor Wembanyama may have tasted defeat on his 20th birthday, but the Spurs sensation still put on a show against the Milwaukee Bucks in San Antonio.
As he waved goodbye to his teenage years, Wembanyama produced another breathtaking coming-of-age display against the Bucks on Thursday night, which included a sublime behind-the-back move in the third quarter.
With San Antonio trailing 70-61 at AT&T Center, the 7ft 4in rookie first intercepted a Milwaukee pass before surging up the court and getting past Damian Lillard with the slickest of behind-the-backs.
He then made no mistake in getting above Bucks center Brook Lopez and making the dunk to reduce the deficit to seven points.
Though while he was at his typical, exquisite best on the night, Wembanyama’s birthday return of 27 points was not enough to save the Spurs in a late 125-121 defeat to the Bucks.
Victor Wembanyama got past Damian Lillard with an insane behind-the-back on Thursday
The Spurs sensation produced the move and then made the dunk in a defeat for San Antonio
Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 44 points to help Milwaukee claim a big victory in San Antonio, yet only after the Greek-Nigerian star enjoyed a memorable battle with his newest rival.
NBA fans were left purring at the Giannis vs Wembanyama matchup, which saw the pair go back-and-forth with some phenomenal three-pointers and pieces of individual brilliance.
Antetokounmpo drew a charge on Wembanyama after hitting a three-pointer to level it at 118 with three minutes remaining, before hitting his second of the game 34 seconds later to give the Bucks a 121-118 lead.
Wembanyama responded by blocking Lillard’s layup and making a three-pointer of his own to tie it with 53 second left.
He then blocked an attempted dunk by Giannis to set up a potential tying shot, only to pass up a contested three-pointer to give the ball to Tre Jones – who missed from the right corner.
In the end Wembanyama was unable to prevent San Antonio from slumping to a fourth straight defeat.
On his 20th birthday, Wembanyama enjoyed a memorable battle with Giannis Antetokounmpo
After trailing by 13 points in the first quarter, the Spurs outscored the Bucks 34-29 in the third to enter the fourth tied at 93-93.
They won the third quarter for only the third time this season, having entered the game with the league´s worst third-quarter scoring margin at -6.8.
Milwaukee scored 11 straight points during the opening four minutes behind seven points from Middleton. The Bucks closed the first quarter 5 for 9 on 3-pointers.
