Even when he's not at his best, Victor Wembanyama can't help but make his eyes widen. Thursday evening, the Frenchman was unable to prevent the Spurs' setback, despite great resistance in Sacramento. “Wemby” suffered physically in the duel against Domantas Sabonis. But even in an evening without shooting, the French interior came very close to entering a new very closed circle in the history of the league: he missed a decisive pass to sign a “five-by-five” (5×5), with five units in five statistical categories.
With 19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 interceptions and 4 assists, “Wemby” could have become the second rookie to join this “5×5” club, and the first player to do so since Jusuf Nurkic on January 1 2019.
A great style clash with Domantas Sabonis
Strong on the rebound in the first period, becoming the third youngest player in history to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 150 blocks in his career, Victor Wembanyama shifted gears upon returning from the locker room. It is also not insignificant if the two “runs” of the Spurs took place with their interior on the floor, with two interceptions each time to revive San Antonio.
And if he was sometimes moved by a stronger Domantas Sabonis, the first choice of the last Draft also caused two lost balls from the Lithuanian, while countering him twice.
“ Victor has exceeded my expectations since the start of the season“, estimated Gregg Popovich before the meeting. “ For example, I didn't think he would be at the top of the NBA blockers. He scores, he blocks, he gets rebounds, but he also loses a few balls (only one against the Kings, editor’s note). This is what we have focused on most recently: making our services more solid, more rigorous. That takes time. »
Like many observers before him, the Kings coach saw in Victor Wembanyama “ a generational talent“. “ I still don't understand how he moves, I don't believe it's real » he reacted at a press conference. “ It's great for the NBA, but I wish he was in the East, sorry Pop. »
Gregg Popovich is proud of his kids
The evening could have been perfect if the Texans had finished the job, one of the next areas of progress for the Spurs. After losing six of their last eight games by more than ten points, Gregg Popovich's players this time had their destiny in their hands, after a huge long shot from Devin Vassell with just over two minutes remaining. But San Antonio made several youthful mistakes, led by Victor Wembanyama.
The tricolor had however allowed his team to go in front following a basket with the mistake (116-117) with three minutes to play. This action perfectly illustrated the end of the match by Victor Wembanyama, dangerous near the circle, a few seconds after having abused the outside shot, after only ten seconds of possession. Finally, “Wemby” finished the match as he started it, with a 2/7 shooting in both the first and fourth quarters. And a new lesson to learn for the future, while opposite, De'Aaron Fox was once again chillingly masterful in the final moments.
“ I couldn't be more proud of my players.”, welcomed Gregg Popovich. “ We made mistakes, too. But it's an experienced team now, their kids have grown up. Sabonis and Fox are All-Stars, they added free agents. They are a good team now, who can beat anyone. For us to do what we did, I couldn't be more proud of them. […] We made a lot of rookie mistakes, we're not a very good shooting team, but they fought hard. I am very proud of them. »
The Spurs will have the opportunity to bounce back immediately, with a back-to-back match against another solid team from the West, the Lakers, who should find LeBron James for the occasion.
The presence of Victor Wembanyama is not yet guaranteed, even if Gregg Popovich had assured before the All-Star Game break that his jewel would have more playing time. With his 31 minutes on the floor this Thursday, the Frenchman passed one pass away from signing the fastest 5×5 in NBA history…
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 49 | 28 | 46.8 | 32.0 | 81.1 | 2.1 | 7.9 | 10.0 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 20.5 |
| Total | 49 | 28 | 46.8 | 32.0 | 81.1 | 2.1 | 7.9 | 10.0 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 20.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
