Victor Wembanyama shows early rust, but in return mobilizes Spurs

SAN ANTONIO – Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who had just sat out three games, showed rust early but got going late and helped San Antonio to its second-biggest comeback win of the season, a 104-94 triumph over the Golden State Warriors .

“In the fourth quarter I thought he was a grown man,” Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama.

Three days after overcoming a 20-point deficit to beat the Utah Jazz, the Spurs rallied from a 17-point deficit on Saturday to shock the Warriors, who were playing on the second night of a back-to-back set. San Antonio’s performance marked the first time since 2017 that it overcame a deficit of more than 15 points in consecutive contests.

“I found my rhythm physically,” said Wembanyama. “In the first half it was a bit difficult to come back in terms of fitness. There is a switch that I try to flip when necessary. Strong catches, quick movements, not holding the ball, but also taking my time and taking shots. Confidence, good feet and good preparation for the shot.”

Wembanyama scored a game-high 25 points with 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 blocks.

One of those blocks started the fourth quarter in which Wembanyama scored seven points – with a steal in between – as San Antonio cut a six-point deficit to one in 1 minute, 40 seconds.

The Spurs trailed by 17 points with 1:55 left in the third quarter before going on a 40-13 run to end the game. Golden State suffered its biggest lead of the season.

“It was a good lesson in how to capture and maintain momentum when you’ve done enough to separate yourself,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said.

Wembanyama collected nearly half of his total points (12 points) in the fourth quarter and added five assists and two blocks to lead a Spurs team that finished the game 13-2 in fast-break points over the Warriors.

“He definitely embraces the moments,” Johnson said. “I thought his fundamentals, especially late tonight, were elite. If he can do that, it will be scary to get used to.”

Golden State knows it firsthand now. Wembanyama started the contest making three of nine shots and had nine points and two turnovers. The 20-year-old scored three points on his first five attempts of the evening and only hit a 2-point field goal 2:19 minutes into the first quarter.

“Vic’s confidence never wavers and it’s just great to see,” said veteran point guard Chris Paul. “He is confident. He knows the next one is coming. Vic was great, just his first game back. The defense, the shots. The plays he made tonight were all winning plays. He’s an alien. He’s just so unique.”

By halftime, Wembanyama had made six 3-pointers with just two hits. He shot less in the third quarter, scoring on two of three attempts.

“Stop shooting?” Wembanyama asked jokingly. “Never.”

The Frenchman’s fearless approach paid off in a fourth quarter that saw San Antonio start with a 10-point deficit. Wembanyama has eight 20-point outings in 14 appearances this season.

Saturday evening was Wembanyama’s first live appearance since November 15, when he suffered a bruised right knee that sidelined him for three competitions. The Spurs managed to rattle off two straight wins against Oklahoma City and Utah after losing to Dallas on November 16 in Wembanyama’s first game out of the lineup.

Against the Warriors, Wembanyama posted his 13th consecutive game with multiple blocks, the longest streak of any player this season.

“He was great, blocking shots, thwarting others and just being a presence,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said of Wembanyama. “It was an impressive performance from him and the entire team, defensively.”