Victor Wembanyama needed only 25 minutes on Monday night to produce one of the most complete performances of the NBA season, scoring 40 points, taking 11 rebounds and blocking nine shots as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Phoenix Suns 122-96 in Phoenix.

The win was San Antonio's ninth in a row. The Spurs have not lost since dropping their first two games of the season, and they now sit at 9-2, second in the Western Conference. Phoenix fell to 3-6.

Wembanyama shot 15 of 19 from the field, including two of three from three-point range, and added three assists with only one turnover. He was finished for the night early in the fourth quarter, having already done the damage. He ended the game one block short of a triple-double made up of points, rebounds and blocks.

A 21-2 run broke the game open

San Antonio took control before half-time. A 21-2 run helped the Spurs build a 61-46 lead at the break, with Wembanyama already on 22 points. By the end of the third quarter the lead had grown to 93-68, and the final period was effectively decided.

The 7ft 4in French centre has made this kind of night look routine in recent weeks. Five days earlier he set career highs with 52 points and 24 rebounds in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. Against Phoenix he was just as efficient, scoring from inside and out while shutting down the paint at the other end.

According to figures cited by ESPN after the game, Wembanyama became only the second player to score 40 points or more in 25 minutes or fewer since minutes were first officially tracked in 1951-52, after Sleepy Floyd in 1991.

Booker: something we have never seen

Phoenix guard Devin Booker was full of praise for his opponent after the game, describing Wembanyama's performance as something like we've never seen before. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said his star was allowing the game to unfold and putting himself in positions to take advantage of opportunities.

Wembanyama was not alone. Rookie Dylan Harper scored 17 points with five rebounds and four assists, helping San Antonio close the door whenever Phoenix threatened a run. The Spurs also controlled the boards and kept the Suns' scorers under pressure all night.

For Phoenix, the defeat underlined how far the Suns still have to go. They had come into the game encouraged by a strong performance on Saturday, but they had no answer for Wembanyama's combination of length, skill and timing.

What comes next

San Antonio now take their nine-game winning streak on the road, visiting the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Phoenix host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. If Wembanyama keeps producing nights like this one, the Spurs will take some stopping.