Victor Wembanyama Praised by NBA Fans in Spurs’ Loss to Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 3, 2024
Justin Ford/Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs are focused on the future with Victor Wembanyama, while the Memphis Grizzlies are attempting to climb back into the playoff race in the present.
That was apparent Tuesday.
Memphis defeated San Antonio 106-98 in the Western Conference showdown at FedExForum to snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 11-22 overall. The Spurs have lost three in a row themselves now and are an ugly 5-28 on the campaign.
Still, Wembanyama impressed despite being on a minutes restriction and finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four blocks on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 2-of-5 shooting from deep.
While Desmond Bane (24 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field) and Ja Morant (26 points, 10 assists and five rebounds) impressed for the Grizzlies, it was the 19-year-old who turned heads on social media:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportWEMBY BLOCKS JA ✋ pic.twitter.com/9FVk2VjSpE
NBA TV @NBATVWemby throws down the two-hand slam 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/aPR1xVtARs
San Antonio Spurs @spursVictor dunk #2 ✅✅ pic.twitter.com/iEz9KVCspx
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportWEMBY ONE-LEGGED 3-POINTER 😱 pic.twitter.com/RkYAeXOHMW
Tom Petrini @RealTomPetriniWemby is not real man lmao https://t.co/bRgIlH52Kh
PJ Hoops @RealPjHoopsThe Spurs are finally throwing lobs to Wemby consistently! pic.twitter.com/83EJs2Lknv
dylan @dylangonzalez21Watching Wemby on defense pic.twitter.com/wz2LonMKh8
Coach Macgyver @coach_macgyverIf you don’t have Wemby leading the Rookie of the year race right now… pic.twitter.com/RCa3JoYT7x
Devon Birdsong @DevonBirdsongWemby is playing out of his mind on defense tonight, which is kind of crazy, considering how good on defense he already was
His ceiling really is unfathomable
Spurs Legion @SpursLegionWemby with the one legged 3🔥🔥🔥
JeffGSpursKENS5 @JeffGSpursZoneWembanyama blocking Grizz shots tonight like…. #porvida #nba #sanantonio pic.twitter.com/dpKX4iJVFb
dylan @dylangonzalez21there are gonna be millions of dogs in SA named Wemby
PJ Hoops @RealPjHoopsVictor Wembanyama does one thing every game that just makes my jaw drop!
Wembanyama is always going to generate headlines when he takes the court, but the Grizzlies are the ones trying to climb back into playoff positioning after an abysmal start to the season when Morant was suspended.
They seemed to be doing just that when they won their first four games after he returned, but they entered Tuesday’s contest in need of a win after three straight losses. There is no better opponent in the Western Conference to get one against than the Spurs at home, but Wembanyama’s defense made it easier said than done.
The star rookie threw an early block party with four swats in the first half alone, including on a drive to the rim from Morant. He also added multiple monster dunks and mixed in a three-pointer on the offensive end while hinting at his massive potential and overall versatility.
It looked like he was playing horse when he gave the Spurs the lead in the third quarter with a three-pointer off one leg, but Bane responded with a 7-0 run by himself to give Memphis the lead for good.
Morant also got some revenge for the earlier block:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportJA DUNK ON WEMBY 😱 pic.twitter.com/MOK9WiYvQI
The home team never looked back after Bane’s spurt and now has some momentum heading into another winnable contest against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. As for Wembanyama, his Spurs will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Nice