[Saba Sports News] San Antonio’s rookie standout, Victor Wembanyama, delivered a stellar performance on Friday, tallying 21 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks in a thrilling 126-122 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets. He showcased his skills on both ends of the court, displaying exceptional athleticism.
However, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a moment to bring Wembanyama back down to earth. During the late fourth quarter, Popovich briefly benched Wembanyama, and there were reports of him vocally expressing his dissatisfaction with Wembanyama’s performance, particularly after a mishandled offensive play in the final minute (although this incident was not captured in the game broadcast).
Following the game, Wembanyama acknowledged Popovich’s reprimand and took full responsibility for forgetting a play that had been added to the team’s playbook earlier in the day. Wembanyama stated, ‘It is 100 percent legitimate for him to yell at me in that moment,’ as reported by Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News. ‘I apologize.’
Amidst all the excitement surrounding his performance, it’s important to remember that Wembanyama is still a raw 19-year-old rookie with much to learn at the NBA level. Popovich has been known to push and critique even the greatest Spurs players who came before Wembanyama, making this experience a rite of passage for the young seven-footer.
Despite this episode, Wembanyama’s overall performance on Friday was impressive, and he even displayed some audacious moves against the Rockets. However, it’s clear that Popovich will continue to provide the necessary guidance to keep Wembanyama grounded when needed.