Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama scores career-low 6 points in loss to Chet Holmgren, Thunder

On By Littum

San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama scored a career-low six points, shot 1 of 5 from the field and 0 for 3 from the 3-point line, in a 105-93 loss to second-year big man Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday .

Wembanyama, 20, posted single-digit scoring games just three times during his rookie season. The Thunder were the first team to hold him under 10 points last season when he posted eight points and 14 rebounds in a loss to Oklahoma City on Nov. 14, 2023. Wembanyama grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots in Wednesday’s loss.

Holmgren finished second to Wembanyama in the 2024 Rookie of the Year voting, but got the better of Wembanyama in their most recent matchup. Holmgren began the game by blocking one of Wembanyama’s shots on the opening play and then blocked Jeremy Sochan seconds later on the same possession.

In addition to the win, Homgren finished with 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks on 7-of-10 shooting and 3-of-3 from distance.

The Thunder remain undefeated and improve to 4-0, while the Spurs fall to 1-3 and have yet to win a game on the road.

Experiences from Spurs

An important night for Wembanyama and San Antonio, not because of the result, but because of the lessons learned. Arguably the best defensive team in the league, Oklahoma City used a combination of a raucous crowd and physical floor to nullify Wembanyama and render him ineffective.

Other teams watching this game will surely try to implement bits and pieces of the Thunder’s approach, swarming Wembanyama at the seam and keeping the length at the edge.

The Spurs are going through the motions right now offensively and just haven’t played as a unit through their first four games, but the biggest story is Wembanyama’s inconsistency to start his second year. There was a real lack of aggression, especially when lesser defenders were locked onto him, and his body language suggested he was either tired or frustrated. If San Antonio has any hopes of improving its 22-60 record, it starts in statement games like this one.

As it pertains to any rivalry with Holmgren, the Thunder Big planted his flag in the ground Wednesday night and won the first matchup handily. — Kelly Iko, NBA staff writer

What they say

“It’s a very good team overall,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after the loss. “It’s a playoff team that could very well go deep into the playoffs — and maybe do even better than that. They’re a better team than we are… But that’s also beside the point. We’re trying to get up to their level.

“And it’s basketball, it’s the same things that get everybody to the next level. It’s a 48-minute game. You’ve got to bring it every quarter, every possession. So give them credit, one hell of a team. Really well coached , they are disciplined and consistent. I love my team, too, but we have more work to do than they have. And our guys have to understand that, be professional about it and want to be more consistent in all these areas.”

Required reading

(Photo: Alonzo Adams / Imagn Images)