Wembanyama and the Game That Changes Everything: From Struggles to Reaction
Wembanyama’s true growth isn’t measured by the points he scores, but by how he adapts. Against the Rockets, the Frenchman showed he had learned his lesson
Victor Wembanyama never goes unnoticed. Standing 2.26 meters tall, he dominates the Frost Bank Center even when things don’t go his way. And in the matchup against Houston, his body language said more than any stat line could: head down, frustration visible, almost overwhelmed by the Rockets’ physicality.
In the first half, he fell right into Ime Udoka’s game plan – physical defense, constant double-teams, hard contact to push him away from the paint and force him to shoot from the outside. The result? Just 4 points and plenty of frustration.
Keldon Johnson’s Wake-Up Call
Late in the second quarter, after yet another failed possession, Keldon Johnson gave him a firm slap on the chest – a clear “wake up”. A simple gesture, but one that changed everything.
From that moment on, Wembanyama looked like a completely different player. No more hesitation, no more fear of contact. He started seeking out defenders’ bodies, reading double-teams better, and turning his opponents’ aggression into an advantage. The result: 18 points in the second half, 22 total, along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Spurs win 121–110 – their first win in Group C of the NBA Cup.
The Key? Calm and Reading the Game
It wasn’t an epiphany. He just slowed down.
When he trusts the spacing and calmly reads the defense… every possession becomes high-quality
Mitch Johnson
Wembanyama opened the season on fire – averaging over 33 points and 13 rebounds in his first three games – but recent performances against the Suns and Lakers exposed his struggles against structured defenses. The game versus Houston was his first true sign of mental growth: learning to adapt, knowing when to force and when to share.
A Talent Still in Progress
The numbers back it up: his assist rate is down compared to last season, but his impact on ball movement remains high (second in passes made, second in potential assists). A clear sign that he’s learning not just to react to defenses, but to manipulate them.
Wembanyama is a generational talent – and still a work in progress. With the addition of De’Aaron Fox and the return of rookie Dylan Harper, the Spurs are still shaping their identity. Yet nights like the one against the Rockets are exactly what they need – to see how dangerous Wembanyama can be when he starts using his mind as effectively as his body.
As Harrison Barnes put it:
Vic has seen it all – double-teams, box-and-one, mixed defenses. The difference now is that he stays patient, he knows when to wait and when to strike. He’s learning that in basketball, sometimes strength lies in precision
Harrison Barnes
For Wembanyama, the next challenge is finding balance between physical dominance and tactical clarity. If he manages to merge those two dimensions, the ‘game within the game’ everyone talks about will truly be his.