The Spurs fell just short on Thursday in a hard-fought battle with Milwaukee, dropping a 125-121 decision to the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, but it was another big night for Victor Wembanyama. As Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News details, the rookie big man racked up 27 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks in just 26 minutes of action, earning praise from two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for his performance — and his potential.
“Everything that he dreams of, it’s going to happen for him,” Antetokounmpo said, adding that he’s “never seen anything like” Wembanyama.
Antetokounmpo also suggested that Wembanyama, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Thursday, is ahead of where Giannis was at similar points in their respective careers, telling reporters that the Spurs youngster is having a “Rookie of the Year season.” However, it was Chet Holmgren who earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for a second consecutive time earlier this week, which Wembanyama says he’ll use as motivation.
“Of course, of course,” Wembanyama said (Twitter video link via Hector Ledesma of Clutch Points). “I’m dedicated and I know at the end of the day I’m going to get what I deserve, and every game is a statement from now on.”
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- Wembanyama remains on a minutes restriction for now, which head coach Gregg Popovich has said won’t be lifted until the big man’s ankle gets reevaluated. According to Popovich, that exam is “coming soon,” per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). “It’s within the next week or two, I believe,” Popovich said on Thursday. “But I don’t know the exact date.”
- With Malaki Branham out on Thursday due to a right ankle sprain, the Spurs moved point guard Tre Jones into the starting lineup for the first time this season. The move worked well, according to Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News, who notes that the ball flowed nicely on offense and San Antonio’s second unit held its own without Jones. Asked why San Antonio hasn’t been starting Jones all season, McDonald explained (via Twitter) that the team already knows what it has in the fourth-year veteran and has been more interested in learning what players like Branham and Jeremy Sochan can and can’t handle when tasked with the job.
- Forward Cedi Osman, who has seen his role and his production fluctuate in his first season as a Spur, told Orsborn (Twitter link) on Thursday after scoring 19 total points in his previous seven appearances that he’s still working to understand “what the coaches are asking from me” from game to game. Osman expressed confidence that things “will be better” for him and followed up those comments with a nice showing on Thursday — he scored 13 points to go along with five assists and three steals vs. Milwaukee.
- After not playing more than 12 minutes in any of the Spurs’ first 31 games, Blake Wesley has averaged 17.6 MPG in the past three and has earned praise from Popovich, tweets Orsborn. “He’s played freely,” Popovich said. “He doesn’t look like he is worried about making a mistake. He’s been excellent at the defensive end.”
Holmgren wins ROY by the narrowest of margins.
Idk, they’re both good. The hype is real though.
Both are playing well but Chet is playing meaningful basketball and is contributing on a good team. He deserves to win it likely will.
Even if Wemby was drafted last year, he would have probably lost out due to team results on Paolo’s side.
Holmgren is a good player but their skill levels and athleticism aren’t close. He’s older and more physically ready, but Wemby has better stats, especially if you consider his minutes.
Yes Holmgren is on a winning team, but Wemby is the future of the NBA and absent an extended injury they will make sure he wins.
I will say Chet’s shooting %’s are impressive
@tuck it’s not about their skill level though, or who is the future. It’s about their season and who has been the best rookie this season.
Although I agree Vic has the higher ceiling, but disagree he’s been better this season. This season Chet has been a better overall player on less usage on a much better team, he’s the deserving winner so far.
I also think had Chet been on the same level of usage as the focal point of a very poor team his stats would be much higher too, but lone individual “slightly” better stats matter less than what he has achieved as a team player on a contender.
Just what I’ve been saying the entire season so far… not that Tre Jones is some potential All-Star caliber PG, but he IS a PG, and that’s what Wembanyama needs playing next to him. Oh well, the team “has been more interested in learning” what players like Branham and Jeremy Sochan can do… well, it’s been over two months into the season now, you could have learned by now that they suck, so stop this Sochan-as-a-PG foolishness and stop hindering Wembanyama’s development any further. Don’t worry, you’re not making the playoffs, you’ll be getting that lottery pick this year as well…
I don’t think this will hinder Wemby’s development at all… He still gets time with Tre on court…
There’s going to be points in the future where Wemby is playing without a true PG on the court… Be it due to injury or him being thrust in a point forward role as lead ball handler…
Whilst I do agree that Tre should be starting in order to develop a winning habit for next season, the lessons learned without a true PG on the floor will be valueable…
Y’all gotta get over the whole PG thing. Pop has moved on to trying Branham because he knows Tre is not an NBA starter. If Spurs were concerned about Wemby they’d trade for a veteran. Let’s just assume Pop and RC know what they are doing.