Wemby's World: Spurs Rookie Owns the Paint Against Hapless Grizzlies
Victor Wembanyama isn't just good, he's a force of nature. We saw it again Wednesday night as the San Antonio Spurs rolled over the Memphis Grizzlies 123-98. The kid put up 19 points, snatched 15 rebounds, and swatted away seven shots. That's a stat line that makes you double-take, especially for a guy still finding his footing in the league.
San Antonio jumped out early and never really looked back. They were up by 15 at halftime, and the Grizzlies, frankly, looked lost without Ja Morant. Desmond Bane tried to keep them in it with 21 points, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide of silver and black. This wasn't a competitive game; it was a coronation for Wemby in the paint. He owned that space, plain and simple.
The Block Party Continues
Seven blocks. Think about that for a second. Wembanyama's wingspan is a cheat code, and he's learning how to deploy it with surgical precision. There were a couple of sequences where he deterred drives just by being in the vicinity, changing shots without even needing to leave his feet. That kind of defensive presence is contagious. You could see the Grizzlies players hesitating, looking over their shoulders before attacking the rim. That's the impact of a generational rim protector. He's averaging over 3 blocks a game this season, and honestly, that number feels low given how many shots he alters.
Here's the thing: those blocks aren't just about stopping points. They ignite fast breaks. They create momentum. Keldon Johnson, who had a solid 18 points, benefited directly from a couple of those defensive stands, getting out in transition for easy buckets. The Spurs are still a developing team, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, but Wembanyama's defensive gravity is already elite.
Offensive Growth, Still Raw
While the defense was dazzling, Wemby's offense is still a work in progress, which is fine. He shot 7-for-16 from the field, which isn't bad, but you can see him sometimes forcing things, trying to do a bit too much. He's got that silky smooth jumper, but he often settles for it instead of attacking the basket more consistently. The 15 rebounds are a huge positive, showing he's active on the glass, cleaning up misses and creating second-chance opportunities.
He's not quite a polished offensive machine yet, and that's okay. Gregg Popovich is letting him experiment, letting him make mistakes. We saw flashes of brilliance, like a spin move in the post that led to an easy dunk, but also a few clunky possessions. But he's 7-foot-4, and he can shoot. The offensive game will come. It's just a matter of reps and refining his decision-making.
Memphis's Woes Run Deeper Than Ja
This Grizzlies team is in trouble. They're missing Morant, yes, but their overall play against the Spurs was alarming. They looked disjointed, lacked energy, and couldn't contain Wembanyama inside. Jaren Jackson Jr., their supposed defensive anchor, was largely ineffective against the rookie. Memphis now sits near the very bottom of the Western Conference, and it's clear they're not just waiting for Morant's return; they need a major shake-up. Their offense often devolved into isolation plays, and their defense, which used to be their calling card, looked porous.
Hot take: The Grizzlies need to seriously consider moving Jackson Jr. this offseason. His offensive game hasn't taken the leap many expected, and his defensive impact, while good, isn't enough to carry a team that's clearly spiraling.
Bold prediction: Wembanyama will average a triple-double with blocks by the end of his third season.