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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Like many people watching Victor Wembanyama achieve a historic NBA night with his latest performance, Charles Barkley was left at a loss for words over what he witnessed.
Wemby scored 52 points on 16-of-28 field goals and 19-of-23 free throws. He also grabbed a game-high 24 rebounds and swatted eight of the Dallas Mavericks' shots.
The San Antonio Spurs superstar delivered a remarkable stat line to make NBA history. He became the first Spurs player with 50 points and 20 rebounds in a game. The eight blocks made NBA history as the most in any NBA player's 50-point performance since that stat became official in 1973-74.
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It's a stat line Barkley never achieved in his legendary career. Barkley was tasked with being the first to talk about Wemby, albeit at halftime of his historic performance.
"Well, this [expletive] idiot upstairs says, 'Chuck, you got Wemby.' I'm like, 'What the hell am I supposed to say?'" Barkley quipped on ESPN's halftime show.
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"Hey America, I wish I could just make up something to sound smart. Just look at this stuff. This is just ridiculous, man. I mean, it is flat-out amazing, and the kid is so young. Look at him run the floor, a 7-4 guy," Barkley said over highlights.
"Come on, man. I mean, what am I supposed to say?" he asked. "But I will say this one thing. This is a great matchup for him. ... Man, that was incredible to watch."
The Spurs went on to win a close game over Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks, 112-111, thanks to Wemby's spectacular performance.
Barkley is a legend but never had a regular-season game with over 50 points. The former Philadelphia 76ers star scored a career-high 47 points in February 1988 against the Atlanta Hawks. He scored 56 points when playing for the Phoenix Suns against the Golden State Warriors in the 1994 NBA Playoffs.
Barkley had a career-high 33 rebounds in a regular-season game. Other basketball legends had over 50 rebounds in a game back in the 1960s, including all-time greats Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Wemby's career-high 24 rebounds last night were another reminder of his extraordinary potential, even as he continues chasing the historic numbers established by the NBA's greatest players.
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