Victor Wembanyama emerged as the central figure as the San Antonio Spurs triumphed over the Chicago Bulls
Victor Wembanyama further complicated a challenging day for the Chicago Bulls, achieving the third quickest double-double in nearly two decades as the San Antonio Spurs comfortably secured their ninth consecutive victory.
Wembanyama attained 10 points and 10 rebounds within his initial eight minutes and 31 seconds during play, with the Spurs securing a 129-114 victory. Only Boban Marjanovic (8:13) in 2017 and Jonas Valanciunas (8:08) in 2025 accomplished this feat more swiftly in the play-by-play era.
The French phenomenon concluded the game with 41 points and 16 rebounds, effectively propelling the Spurs. He also took 27 shots, a personal best for the season.
“Simply unraveling certain aspects,” he remarked. “I felt my offensive game required a specific standard to be met again, but this should not come at the expense of defense either.”
The Bulls found no solution for Wembanyama or Stephon Castle, the latter registering 21 points and contributing 10 assists and eight rebounds.
“We’ve had the opportunity to share considerable time on the court together, and he comprehends me exceptionally well,” Wembanyama stated. “This isn’t just coincidental; we are simply aligned. We coexist effectively because he, as the ball handler, diligently aims for the optimal scoring opportunity for the team, and I, as the roller, strive to ensure every time he delivers it with sufficient elevation.”
Tre Jones led the scoring for Chicago with 23 points, yet it was another unimpressive performance from the Bulls, who have now suffered four consecutive defeats.
Bulls Release Ailing Ivey
The game occurred soon after the team opted to release Jaden Ivey following another extensive online commentary that contained homophobic comments.
Ivey’s career-halting ailment has led him to allocate increased time to social media, but the reception has been unfavorable.
His Monday morning post featured the assertions: “The world declares LGBTQ, correct? They announce Pride Month, and the NBA does so as well. They present it globally. They state, ‘Come join us for Pride Month to commemorate impropriety.’ They announce it on billboards. They announce it on the streets. Impropriety.”
The Bulls chose to disassociate, referencing ‘conduct detrimental to the team’.
Ivey retorted: “[The Bulls] asserted my behavior is harmful to the team. Why didn’t they simply state, ‘We disagree with his position regarding LGBTQ issues’? Why didn’t they articulate that? … How is this behavior harmful to the team? How did I affect the team? How did I affect the players?”
Bulls coach Billy Donovan commented: “There’s a specific degree of anticipated performance and benchmarks present here. Everyone arrives with their unique individual backgrounds, correct? However, we must all maintain professionalism; there must be a profound mutual regard for one another, and we are obligated to support each other and adhere to those principles.”