The young French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama made it clear that the San Antonio Spurs will have to show character to stay alive in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the 123-108 defeat in Game 3, the Texan team was down 2-1 in the series and will face a decisive fourth game this Sunday in San Antonio. Despite the complicated panorama, Wembanyama assured that these types of moments are part of the natural learning of a young team that is competing in its first playoffs.
“These are my first playoffs and also those of many of us. It was normal to go through difficult times, but now we will see what we are made of,” declared the French star after the match.
The 22-year-old center once again had an outstanding performance with 26 points in 39 minutes, although he acknowledged that he still needs to contribute more in other aspects of the game. Wembanyama finished with just four rebounds and three assists, numbers that he considers insufficient to lead the team against the current Western champion.
“I have trouble making my teammates better right now. I have to do better. I need to be more of a team player,” he admitted.
The Frenchman also explained what he needs to improve on to help Spurs react in the series.
“I have to make the game easier, rebound better and put more pressure on the rival defense to create space for my teammates,” he said.
Despite averaging 29.3 points and 15 rebounds in the series, San Antonio needs an even more dominant version of its top figure to stop the Thunder’s offensive power.
The Spurs started Game 3 in spectacular fashion with an initial 15-0 run, but Oklahoma City reacted and ended up clearly dominating the rest of the game.
Now, the Texan franchise will seek to adjust defensive and offensive details before Game 4, in a duel that could mark the definitive course of the tie.
“Each one of us has to be better. As a team and organization we are living many new experiences, and we will have to find the answers,” concluded Wembanyama.
