Victor Wembanyama Praises ‘Pretty Cool’ Boston After Defeating Celtics

Victor Wembanyama showed respect to the Boston Celtics following Saturday’s marquee encounter.

The Spurs notched a 100-95 victory at TD Garden behind 21 points, six rebounds and three blocks from Wembanyama, who played 26 minutes off the bench. After the game, the 22-year-old commended the Celtics organization and the city of Boston.

“Playing Boston is cool,” Wembanyama said. “First of all, the city is pretty cool. I think even though, since it’s a back-to-back, I haven’t had time to really experience it. But it’s pretty cool, pretty walkable, unlike many American cities. But playing in this environment is cool. I think, obviously, they got great history, great culture. It’s a good team. It’s one of the top teams in terms of class in the NBA.”

Wembanyama was 0-3 against the Celtics, including two losses at TD Garden, before snapping the drought on Saturday. The 7-foot-4 phenom hit a go-ahead jumper with 1:33 remaining to break a 93-93 tie and hit a dagger bucket in the closing minute.

The Spurs improved to 27-11 with a hard-earned road win. Wembanyama left impressed by a tenacious Celtics squad that limited them to 40 percent shooting.

“They play very physical,” Wembanyama said. “They play with effort. They got many guys that can do similar things at a similar intensity, so they have a real ability. And sometimes that prevails over star players.”

The Celtics and Spurs will meet again in a potential NBA Finals preview on March 10. Boston will look to get back in the win column against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.