Nov 5, 2026 11:20 PM
Victor Wembanyama set a career-high with 52 points on Wednesday night, with 48 of them coming in the paint or at the free-throw line. The Spurs have made Wembanyama's interior presence a priority.
The San Antonio Spurs held off the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, blowing a 19-point lead but escaping with a 112-111 win. The Spurs were led from start to finish by Victor Wembanyama, who offered a career-high 52 points to go with 24 boards and eight blocks.
All season long, the Spurs have focused on putting Wembanyama in adventageuos potions. In the last few games, he's looked eager to attack the rim and handle the ball in the paint, opting to get easier shots off instead of setting for 3-pointers.
Against the Mavericks, 48 of his 52 points came from the paint or the charity stripe, with only one made 3-pointer. The Mavericks employed Cooper Flagg and Daniel Gafford, both capable rim protectors, but it was fruitless.
After the game, the Spurs revealed how opponents can slow Wemby down at the rim. It's simple: you can't.
Spurs Want Wembanyama to 'Impose His Will'
For much of Wembanyama's career, fans and experts have complained that he's not aggressive enough on offense, often settling for lackluster shots. This season, that's changed, and it starts with his teammates setting him up for easy shots or favorable matchups.
"We want Victor to impose his will on the paint in the rim every time," summed up Mitch Johnson. "I think everyone knows what the ripple effects are for us or for the opponents when he does that. There are times when defenses, schematically or personnel-wise, make a concerted effort to take that away, and so then there are times that we have to make decisions and have the basketball elsewhere."
After all, Wembanyama is one of the most unstoppable players in the league. Once he has the ball down low or in the post, it's not like he has to do much to get a shot off.
"The other team tries to do everything, honestly," explained Dylan Harper. "They throw out any adjustment, every adjustment. It's hard to keep Vic out of the paint. I mean, he rolls behind. He's so dominant when he screens and rolls. He knows how to get to his spots. He's obviously great at the free-throw line. So, I mean, for us, it's just: how do we get him the ball, and how do we get the help defender or the low man away from him?"
After a grueling 52-point performance on Wednesday, expect Wembanyama to be a bit more limited on Friday against the Kings, although the Spurs should look to continue to make life easy for their superstar.
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