Watch: Chris Paul's slick lob to Victor Wembanyama results in vicious dunk from Spurs superstar
San Antonio Spurs superstars Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama are set to form a dynamic duo this season. The two provided the first of what is expected to be many highlight-reel plays this year in their preseason game against the Orlando Magic at home on Wednesday.
The impressive play took place late in the opening quarter where 'CP3', from the baseline, lobbed the ball for 'Wemby' for a vicious alley-oop jam over Magic forward Moritz Wagner to send the hometown fans into a frenzy.
Watch the play unfold below:
Alley-oop plays for Victor Wembanyama are among the things fans are expecting from the Spurs this season after Paul decided to sign up with the team. The 20-year veteran guard has been known for such explosive plays throughout his Hall-of-Fame career, particularly during his "Lob City" days with the LA Clippers with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
Against the Magic, both Paul and Wembanyana made their preseason debuts and started. The towering Frenchman, who is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 23 minutes in their 107-97 victory. Paul, for his part, also played 23 minutes and had five points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals.
The Spurs' next preseason match is on Saturday, where they will be hosting the Utah Jazz.
Chris Paul hopes to help Victor Wembanyama settle in more in the NBA
Chris Paul knows that among his duties in signing with the San Antonio Spurs in the offseason is to help Victor Wembanyama settle in more in his second year in the league. He is hoping to deliver on it through the course of their campaign this NBA season.
The 39-year-old Paul signed a one-year $10.5-million deal with the Spurs in July after spending time last season with the Golden State Warriors. He said that among the things he considered in heading to The Alamo was the opportunity to play alongside a generational player like 'Wemby' and further unlock the latter's potential.
'CP3' reiterated this ahead of the Spurs' preseason game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, saying (via ESPN):
"I'm just excited like everybody else to get the chance to play alongside [Victor Wembanyama] along with a lot of the other guys on the team. With him, it's going to be [about] just trying to help him settlle in more."
Victor Wembanyama lived up to the hype in his maiden season in the NBA after being selected first overall in last year's rookie draft. He played 71 games and compiled averages of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals for the Spurs (22-60). He finished second for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Paul played 58 games for the Warriors last year and finished with averages of 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals.