The Spurs don't have much left to play, but Victor Wembanyama is not satisfied. The very likely rookie of the year only has five games left in his first season in the NBA. And while neither Spurs' record, nor the mark he left on the league will change in eight days, the Frenchman is eager to know the next deadlines, and for good reason. Sunday, the revenge against the Sixers and Joel Embiid awaits him, this time in Texas.
During their first clash, Joel Embiid had one of the games of the season, passing 70 points in San Antonio on January 22. Since this career record, the 2023 MVP has spent almost all of his time in the infirmary with a knee injury. Victor Wembanyama has not forgotten. “ If there's one thing I know about Victor, it's that every time he has a tough matchup waiting for him, he's already circled on his calendar as soon as he leaves the locker room » assures Sandro Mamukelashvili at the San Antonio Express-News.
At the start of 2024, the Spurs were in (very) tough times with only eight wins in 43 games and a defense frequently in great difficulty. The revolution will wait a little longer at the Frost Bank Center, but Gregg Popovich's players are much more combative with eight victories in their last 18 outings.
And Victor Wembanyama has taken on yet another dimension, in particular through his defensive impact in the game.
Facing the best scorer in the NBA – if he had played enough games to be in the rankings (34.8 points in 36 games) – is the best way to confirm this progress. “We will make all the necessary adjustments » says “Wemby”. “ It's the same against anyone. We faced dominant players all year. Each match is different, and we will have a specific “scouting report” for it. »
Wemby has “no time to lose”
After the showdown with Joel Embiid and the Sixers, the Spurs will have four final games to play next week. And out of the question for Victor Wembanyama to think he's on vacation before his time, especially since Spurs are only missing two wins (19 wins – 58 losses) to avoid the worst record in the history of the franchise, set at 20 wins and 62 losses in 1996/97.
“ It's just my mentality » explains the former player of the Mets 92. « I am committed to this team. I have a responsibility to this franchise, this team and these fans. So there is no reason to stay idle. We will finish strong, we want to build. If we want to be the best, there is no time to lose. »
It remains to be seen whether the first pass of this final sprint will actually take place. The Sixers will be in the second half of a back-to-back after a trip to Memphis, and Joel Embiid could be preserved.
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 68 | 29 | 46.3 | 32.2 | 79.6 | 2.3 | 8.3 | 10.6 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 21.1 |
| Total | 68 | 29 | 46.3 | 32.2 | 79.6 | 2.3 | 8.3 | 10.6 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 21.1 | |
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.
