Tough Start of Victor Wembanyama Against Dallas

Victor Wembanyama faced a tough night opening the NBA season for the second time against the Dallas Mavericks. Even with a 25-pound increase in muscle during the offseason, the current Rookie of the Year had difficulty getting into a groove. In a span of 14 minutes, he recorded six points, four rebounds, one assist, one block, and four turnovers, a challenging beginning that echoed his first game in the league more than a year ago.

Dallas’s defensive efforts were successful in limiting Wembanyama’s presence in the game, thanks to the contributions of players such as Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks prevented him from entering the paint, leading him to take long-range shots due to his 7-foot-4 height. Wembanyama, shooting 25% from three-point range in the third quarter, struggled to connect with the basket. The physical play of the Mavericks continuously interrupted his rhythm, hindering his ability to assert control in the paint.

In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Dallas went on a 19-5 run to establish a commanding lead of 106-85. Wembanyama attempted to boost the spirits of the Spurs, but Luka Doncic and the Mavericks had all the solutions. Coach Gregg Popovich decided to remove Wembanyama from the game when the Spurs were behind 111-90 with less than six minutes left.

Wembanyama finished the evening with 17 points and nine rebounds. However, his difficulties with shooting were clear as he only made 5 out of 18 shots. While it’s clear he focused on building strength during the offseason. The Mavericks showed that he still needs to make some changes. Throughout the season, Wembanyama will aim to take advantage of his combination of size and skills to overcome defenses that are specifically meant to stop him.