Many of the NBA’s best players are nearing the end of their careers. But the league is in good hands with Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama.

That’s how Josh Hart felt after the 20-year-old from Paris posted an unprecedented record: 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in the Knicks’ 117-114 win at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day.

“Good sir. He’s different,” Hart said after the win. “The league will be in good hands when all the old guys are done (Lebron James). (Kevin Durant), (Steph Curry) – all these elder statesmen, what are they all damn close to? The elder statesmen? Once they leave, the league will be in good hands with him (Anthony Edwards) – a lot of people, I can’t think of much. But he’s different.”

In his debut on Christmas Day, Wembanyama shot 16 of 31 from the field, including 6 of 16 from downtown.

His performance made him the third player in NBA history to score 40 or more points in his Christmas Day debut, joining all-time greats Tracy McGrady and Wilt Chamberlain. He also became the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, five three-pointers and four blocks in a game.

Having a stat that some of the greats Hart mentioned — Durant, Curry, James — never achieved is special. And doing this on Christmas Day adds to the stories and excitement surrounding Wembanyama.

The 7-4 unicorn’s entire arsenal was on display. He almost led a weaker Spurs team to an upset win at the domestic level. Wembanyama did his damage on Wednesday afternoon with Karl-Anthony Towns as the main defender. And it may have been one of the few times the Knicks star felt inferior in the paint.

“I’m not that tall,” Towns responded to the similarities between the two. “I don’t know what similarities there are. He is French, I am Dominican. There is no such thing as too much. . . I am 7 feet tall. He’s well over 7 feet tall.”

With Wembanyama leading San Antonio’s rebuild – along with young contributors Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan – the Spurs are certain to return to the postseason in the coming years for the first time since 2019.

And his greatness is admired throughout the league.

“What is he, 7-9, 7-10? . . . “He uses his God-given qualities and that also makes him a special defensive player,” said Towns. “His ability to cover space, he’s athletic, he’s able to move fast enough to get to the point and he’s obviously big enough with his God-given attributes to manipulate shots. So he was blessed by God. He uses his talent for his family and for the Spurs organization.”