Kevin Durant hits fadeaway, dunks over rookie Victor Wembanyama in marquee matchup
Time was winding down to end the first quarter.
Kevin Durant was bringing the ball up with the 7-foot-4 rookie Victor Wembanyama awaiting him in the front court.
Oh yeah.
The all-time great versus the rookie phenomenon.
No screen needed from Jordan Goodwin.
Durant yo-yoed the ball, went right, stepped back and faded away from the shot blocking Wembanyama for the baseline jumper that splashed through the net and erupted the likely sellout crowd at Footprint Center.
That’s what they came to see.
That ended a 10-point quarter for Durant as the Suns led 27-18 while Wembanyama scored just two points that came on free throws. He missed all four of his field goal attempts.
No screen.
Let's do this.
Kevin Durant over Victor Wembanyama to end 1st quarter. #Suns up 27-18.
Durant 10 points.
Wembanyama 2 points. #Spurs pic.twitter.com/NZYrSqB0tZ— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 1, 2023
Wembanyama has drawn comparisons to Durant for being tall with the ability to handle the ball and score. Durant, who is one of Wembanyama’s favorite players, gave the top overall pick out of France high praise going into the game.
More: Opinion: Let's relax on comparing rookie Victor Wembanyama to Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo
“He’s a talented, talented gifted individual who is only going to get better and be more comfortable as an NBA player as each game goes past,” Durant said. “I just see his enthusiasm just through the TV. Sprinting up and down the court, trying to block every shot. Just being aggressive, excited for his teammates."
Durant said he’s only met him once, hadn’t really got to know him, but continued by saying, “it seems like he’s locked to trying to be great. That’s evident in just watching him in preseason and first few games.”
Anything you can do, I can do crazier.
Kevin Durant dunked on Victor Wembanyama on a backdoor cut on an inbounds play.
On the other end, Wembanyama got past Durant, who ran out to contest, went to basket and dunked on Drew Eubanks.#Suns 63-45 half.
Durant 14 Wemby 6. #Spurs pic.twitter.com/lMJd2nxjz6— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 1, 2023
Durant concluded his comments by saying, “looking forward to playing against him.”
The two were on opposite ends of the court during pregame as Durant took occasional glances at Wembanyama. With Devin Booker and Bradley Beal still out with injuries, that put even more focus on the matchup between Durant and Wembanyama.
This ironically was also the anniversary of Durant’s NBA debut as he scored 18 points on Oct. 31, 2007 for the Seattle SuperSonics in an 120-103 loss at Denver Nuggets.
Fast forward through a Hall of Fame career highlighted by an NBA regular season MVP, two NBA championship and two finals MVPs, Durant found himself matched up against the future of the league and the best pro prospect since LeBron James.
Durant guarded him right from the opening tip.
Victor Wembanyama pregame. #Suns #Spurs pic.twitter.com/51UeFadalI
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 1, 2023
He stole the ball from him in the corner less than two minutes into the game and proceeded to play Wembanyama tight throughout the first quarter.
Then Durant ended the first with the fadeaway over Wembanyama, who looked to block the shot.
Durant ended the half with 14 points as he dunked on Wembanyama on a backdoor cut on an inbounds play. Then on the other end, Wembanyama got past Durant, who rushed out to contest, drove the basket and jammed it over Drew Eubanks one handed.
Suns led, 63-45, at the break.
Have opinions about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kevin Durant hits fadeaway, dunks over rookie Victor Wembanyama in marquee matchup
