Camille Naredo

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Stacy Revere, Getty Images/AFP 

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.   Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Article (news)

San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks

Agence France-Presse

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776759913803AFP__20251023__2242700699__v2__HighRes__SanAntonioSpursVDallasMavericks.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Stacy Revere, Getty Images/AFP " width="960"/>Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Stacy Revere, Getty Images/AFP </div>BERLIN, Germany -- German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki has told AFP that Victor Wembanyama, who won on his NBA playoff debut on Sunday, was &quot;changing the game as we speak&quot;.In an interview on Monday ahead of his induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame, Nowitzki said he was stunned by the impact the 22-year-old French player was having on the game.&quot;I mean, he&#x27;s changing the game as we speak. I&#x27;ve never seen anything like it,&quot; the 2007 NBA MVP said.&quot;His defense is so good that he changes the game just by being on the court and taking away some of the layups and twos that other teams would usually take.&quot;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/4/21/wembanyama-wins-nba-defensive-player-of-the-year-1024">READ: Wembanyama wins NBA defensive player of the year</a></div>Wembanyama scored 35 points, the most on a playoff debut in franchise history, to go with five rebounds and two blocks as his San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers in their opening match of the playoffs.Playing in just his third NBA season, the forward/center is in the running for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honours.The 2011 NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks said Wembanyama had the other-worldly ability to help the young Spurs overcome their lack of experience.&quot;They&#x27;re definitely ready. They&#x27;re definitely there. Of course, the one question about the Spurs is, are they experienced enough?&quot;But I think Wemby is kind of that X-factor that takes that away. He levels that whole experience thing out.&quot;Nowitzki, 47, said be believes the Spurs could get past defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.Should the Spurs defeat Portland and either the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the next round, they are on track to meet the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.&quot;They&#x27;ll definitely think that they can. They&#x27;re a tough matchup for OKC.&quot;We&#x27;ve seen that. They beat them like three times around Christmas.&quot;They have all the guards and can attack them. So I don&#x27;t know if it&#x27;s a year or two too early. We shall see.&quot;It&#x27;s going to be a fun playoff run. So they&#x27;re definitely knocking on the door.&quot;A skillful European big man who could shoot, Nowitzki was a pioneer for players like Wembanyama, but said he had plenty to learn from the young Frenchman.&quot;You watch a game, you keep watching Wemby, and I&#x27;m like &#x27;man, that&#x27;s a cool move&#x27;... Let&#x27;s go in the gym tomorrow and work on that.&quot;&quot;Learning the fundamentals of the game is a journey that keeps on going.&quot;

German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki has told AFP that Victor Wembanyama, who won on his NBA playoff debut on Sunday, was "changing the game as we speak".

German basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki has told AFP that Victor Wembanyama, who won on his NBA playoff debut on Sunday, was "changing the game as we speak".

NBA: Wembanyama 'changing the game as we speak', says Nowitzki

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

NBA: Wembanyama 'changing the game as we speak', says Nowitzki

Agence France-Presse

Published April 21, 2026 04:26 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

NBA

NBA playoffs

San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama

Dirk Nowitzki

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.