Victor Wembanyama only played 26 minutes Saturday night in Boston. He came off the bench. His shot chart wasn't particularly impressive. And yet the Celtics, owners of the league's second-best record, couldn't figure out how to attack the basket with him on the floor.
Four free throw attempts. Total. For Boston.
Final score: San Antonio 100, Boston 95.
Jaylen Brown, who didn't attempt a single foul shot all night, was furious afterward. His postgame comments reportedly included an expletive-laced critique of the officiating that went far beyond his usual complaints. But here's the thing about Wembanyama: he changes shot selection before the whistle ever comes into play.
"They just got away with a lot, and I'm tired of the inconsistency," Brown said. What he didn't mention is that the Celtics looked unusually timid around the rim. Wembanyama blocked three shots and altered countless others. When a 7-foot-4 rim protector is lurking, "driving to the basket" becomes a less attractive option.
The Spurs have figured something out
San Antonio is 6-0 when Wembanyama comes off the bench this season. That's not a coincidence. Coach Mitch Johnson has been managing his franchise player's minutes like a precious resource, and it's working beautifully. The Spurs don't need Wemby to dominate the stat sheet—they need him fresh when games are close.
He finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks on Saturday. Those numbers would be pedestrian for most stars. For Wembanyama, they're part of a larger pattern of controlled devastation.
Coming off a hyperextended left knee sustained against the Knicks on New Year's Eve, the Spurs have been cautious. An MRI showed no ligament damage, just soreness. But this is a franchise that's already watched him miss 12 games earlier this season with a calf strain and dealt with last year's deep vein thrombosis scare that cut his rookie campaign short.
"I'm always pressing," Wembanyama admitted about his conversations with the medical staff. "They have to be mentally strong."
Sunday's NBA scoreboard told a story
The Spurs' win was the highlight, but it wasn't the only interesting result:
Indiana 123, Miami 99 — The Pacers snapped their losing skid with an emphatic home win. Miami's season continues to disappoint.
Detroit 98, LA Clippers 92 — The Pistons remain one of the league's most fascinating stories. Their defense is legitimate.
Chicago 125, Dallas 107 — The Bulls blew out the Mavs at home. Luka Dončić's new Los Angeles teammate didn't help Dallas avoid this one.
Utah 150, Charlotte 95 — Not a typo. The Jazz won by 55. Charlotte is bad in ways that defy description.
Wembanyama's trajectory hasn't changed
Despite missing time, the 22-year-old Frenchman is averaging 24.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks while shooting 52.5% from the field. His three-point percentage (36.5%) is better than it has any right to be for someone his size. He's an MVP candidate who just happens to be playing through minor injury management.
ESPN's Michael C. Wright reported earlier this week that Wembanyama's bone bruise won't prevent him from playing in back-to-backs once he's fully cleared. The Spurs have handled this carefully—no unnecessary risk, but no extended absence either.
The contrast with Boston's approach to their own franchise player is instructive. The Celtics looked vulnerable Saturday without a dominant interior presence to match Wembanyama's length. Derrick White scored 29 points but shot just 5-of-17 from three. The offense got stuck.
San Antonio shot 10-for-44 from beyond the arc and still won. That's how good their defense was.
What's next
The Spurs face Minnesota and Oklahoma City later this week. Both games will test whether this sustainable success or a hot streak. They're already 3-0 against the defending champion Thunder this season, which tells you something about what this team can become.
Wembanyama doesn't need to be Superman every night. He just needs to be there when it counts.
Saturday's fourth quarter, when he drained two clutch 15-footers to help seal the win, proved he understands the assignment perfectly.