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Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama faltered when needed most in Game 1 vs. Timberwolves
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- Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama faltered when needed most in Game 1 vs. Timberwolves
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No one can ever question Victor Wembanyama ’s impact on the defensive end of the floor for the San Antonio Spurs . But a team’s superstar has to get it done on both ends of the floor. In Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves , Wembanyama disappeared when it mattered the most as the Spurs lost a close one, 104-102, to fall behind in the series.
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Wembanyama did record a bonkers triple-double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks. But he was nowhere to be found on offense during crunch time. The Spurs star went just 2-8 from the field for five points in the second half, as per Underdog NBA on X (formerly Twitter), and he ended up being a passenger in crunch time — with De’Aaron Fox and Julian Champagnie being the beating heart of the team’s offense in the fourth.
In fact, it was Champagnie who ended up shooting the game-winner attempt for the Spurs; with the clock winding down, San Antonio decided not to call a timeout.
Rushing the ball down the floor, Wembanyama gave the ball to Dylan Harper and urged him to push the tempo. Harper then gave the ball to Champagnie, who, to his credit, was able to fashion for himself a clean look from three at the buzzer while down two. Champagnie managed to side step the Timberwolves’ defense and then step back for a triple, only for it to fall short.
Wembanyama has to be more assertive in crunch time, and perhaps he has to be more proactive in attacking the paint. He did miss a few perimeter shots, so perhaps going back to basic big man play would do him a world of good.
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As the superstar of this Spurs team, it is Wembanyama’s responsibility to get the job done for his team. But knowing how competitive he is and how raring he is to learn at every opportunity, expect him to bounce back in Game 2.
Related: Spurs most to blame after letting Timberwolves steal Game 1 at home
Related: Why Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards’ teammate is his ‘favorite player in the NBA’
