NBA (DR) / Bleacher Report (DR)
Coming off an infuriating defeat suffered the day before, Gregg Popovich and the Spurs were keen to get back on track in Indiana this Monday. They finally suffered a real defeat (111-152), which earned Victor Wembanyama a scathing statement from his coach.
The evenings follow one another and are not the same for Victor Wembanyama. Once again very visible against the Raptors, Sunday, the young French interior played his first back-to-back in the NBA 24 hours later, on the Pacers floor. A game during which he signed his third double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points (3/12 shooting) and 10 rebounds:
🇫🇷 @wemby
en Double-Double face aux Pacers13 points
10 rebonds
1 stl / 2 blkLes Spurs s'inclinent 111-152 pic.twitter.com/sr7pnMucJI
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE)
November 7, 2023
Gregg Popovich’s undisguised dig at Victor Wembanyama
Preserved by the Spurs coaching staff in this particular context, Wembanyama only took part in 21 minutes of the match against Indiana, which ended with a large and humiliating defeat for the Texans (111-152). Not surprisingly, Gregg Popovich did not appear very happy at the press conference. Asked about Victor’s case and his performance, he did not try to spare him in his comments:
"Only two guys played decently."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich kept his postgame comments short after the game tonight.
@spurs | #PorVida | 📺:BSSW pic.twitter.com/COUaqt5XOP— Bally Sports San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) November 7, 2023
Back-to-back has nothing to do with it. It’s only November. They kicked our ass, they deserve credit. I think the only players on our team that have been consistent, decent and competitive are Keldon (Johnson) and Zach (Collins). (…) Victor reassured us in terms of his movements, but as I said, there are only two of our players who played decently.
No need to rack your brains to understand that Pop’ didn’t really appreciate the copy made by Wemby at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A real testimony to the demands of the San Antonio coach, who apparently does not plan to give his rookie star any gifts. The latter therefore knows that he will have to do much better this Wednesday, against the Knicks, after a day of rest which is undoubtedly welcome for him.
Obviously uplifted after the slap suffered by the Spurs, Gregg Popovich did not grant preferential treatment to Victor Wembanyama. The French international now knows that he will not be allowed to make mistakes this season, including during back-to-backs.
