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After a disappointing Game 5 loss in the Western Conference finals, San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said his team needed more from superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Two days later, Wembanyama appeared in his first playoff elimination game, and he came through in a big way.
Wembanyama set the tone from the beginning, helping the Spurs build a lead they never relinquished while beating the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 on Thursday to even the best-of-seven series at three wins apiece.
The teams meet in Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City, with the winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
“His passion and desire for being right where he is and at the forefront of it all, and to take the responsibility and the role and the burden of what he does — I don’t know what else to say,” Johnson said of Wembanyama. “He’s comfortable with that regardless of the outcome and what it may look like.”
Wembanyama finished with 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting, with 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Wembanyama was on the bench when the Spurs put the game away.
The Thunder were still within striking distance, trailing by 10, when Wembanyama came out with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter.
For much of the series, Oklahoma City had controlled the game when Wembanyama was on the bench. This time, though, the Spurs dominated, scoring 11 consecutive points with the big man sitting. The surge was part of a 20-0 run that sealed the outcome by the end of the third quarter.
“I just think all of our focus and attention was on the defensive end,” San Antonio guard Stephon Castle said of the pivotal run. “… I think when we’re focused on defense and getting stops and being able to get out and run and get easy looks, it makes the game pretty simple for us.”
Luke Kornet, who entered for Wembanyama, played a big role in San Antonio’s defensive success during that stretch as Oklahoma City missed 14 consecutive shots.
“I think Luke’s communication and just really overall physicality and being in the right spots was probably the best it’s been this series,” Castle said of Kornet, who finished with three points and five rebounds in 13 minutes.
Continue reading...
Two days later, Wembanyama appeared in his first playoff elimination game, and he came through in a big way.
Wembanyama set the tone from the beginning, helping the Spurs build a lead they never relinquished while beating the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 on Thursday to even the best-of-seven series at three wins apiece.
The teams meet in Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City, with the winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
“His passion and desire for being right where he is and at the forefront of it all, and to take the responsibility and the role and the burden of what he does — I don’t know what else to say,” Johnson said of Wembanyama. “He’s comfortable with that regardless of the outcome and what it may look like.”
Wembanyama finished with 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting, with 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Wembanyama was on the bench when the Spurs put the game away.
The Thunder were still within striking distance, trailing by 10, when Wembanyama came out with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter.
For much of the series, Oklahoma City had controlled the game when Wembanyama was on the bench. This time, though, the Spurs dominated, scoring 11 consecutive points with the big man sitting. The surge was part of a 20-0 run that sealed the outcome by the end of the third quarter.
“I just think all of our focus and attention was on the defensive end,” San Antonio guard Stephon Castle said of the pivotal run. “… I think when we’re focused on defense and getting stops and being able to get out and run and get easy looks, it makes the game pretty simple for us.”
Luke Kornet, who entered for Wembanyama, played a big role in San Antonio’s defensive success during that stretch as Oklahoma City missed 14 consecutive shots.
“I think Luke’s communication and just really overall physicality and being in the right spots was probably the best it’s been this series,” Castle said of Kornet, who finished with three points and five rebounds in 13 minutes.
Continue reading...
