Following the best game of Victor Wembanyama’s still-young career in the San Antonio Spurs’ 132-121 win against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, Suns star Kevin Durant was questioned about comparisons between his and the rookie phenom’s style of play.

Durant dismissed the idea, telling reporters that Wembanyama “is his own player” who will “carve out his own lane” in the NBA.

For the second time in three days, the Spurs defeated the Suns. In 34 minutes, Wembanyama scored 38 points on 15-of-26 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. He scored 10 points during San Antonio’s 12-0 run that began with 4:21 remaining in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 116.

Many observers attempted to draw parallels between Wembanyama’s skill set and that of prior superstar players in the run-up to the 2023 NBA draft.

The NBA staff of B/R broke it down into individual skill set, with Durant serving as the comparison in half-court handle:

“Even the most skilled extremely tall-person ball-handlers have a vulnerable air about them.” Their dribbles are too far up. Outside of a straight path, their grip on the rock deteriorates. They are limited when they are nudged out of transition or have their first step cut off. When operating in close quarters, they must throw their weight around.

“Wembanyama, like Durant, is more of a tactician.” He may have Giannis Antetokounmpo’s strides, but his surgical probes, controlled footwork, and sly angles are KD-esque.”

The physical similarities between the two are striking. They are both extremely tall and slender, with long limbs that make it difficult for opponents to dispute their shot, even if their defensive positioning is excellent.

But there has never been a guy his stature (7’4″ with an eight-foot wingspan) who can move like Wembanyama while still shooting outside the paint and playing exceptional defense.

Wembanyama is already considerably ahead of where Durant was in his debut season after five games. In his first five games, the 13-time All-Star averaged 22.6 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting (34.4 percent from three-point range) and 5.4 rebounds.

So far this season, Wembanyama is averaging 20.6 points on 50.0 percent shooting (32.0 percent from behind the arc), 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

Durant has a 17-year body of work to judge him on, as well as what he adds to it in the future. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

There’s a long way to go before Wembanyama reaches that level, but the early results indicate he’s worth all of the hoopla that surrounded him when he was picked.