Victor Wembanyama made his return to the court in a way only he can-quietly coming off the bench, then loudly reminding everyone why he’s one of the most electrifying young talents in the league. In his first game back from a calf strain that sidelined him for a month, Wembanyama didn’t just ease into the action-he helped snap the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 16-game winning streak and powered the San Antonio Spurs into the NBA Cup championship game.
Coming off the bench for the first time in his NBA career, Wembanyama logged just 21 minutes in the semifinal matchup but made every second count. He poured in 22 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and added two blocks, all while playing with the kind of poise and presence that belied both his age and his injury layoff. The Spurs edged out the Thunder 111-109, and Wembanyama’s fingerprints were all over the win.
It’s worth noting that Wemby’s minutes were carefully managed-and for good reason. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the 7-foot-4 phenom was on a minutes restriction, a smart move considering the long-term investment San Antonio has in their franchise centerpiece. His 21 minutes on Saturday were the second-fewest he’s played in a game since entering the league, trailing only a 19-minute outing during his rookie season.
There’s no question the Spurs are playing the long game here. Wembanyama’s health is the top priority, and with the NBA Cup championship on the line Tuesday night in Las Vegas, San Antonio is likely to stick to a similar game plan. That means another appearance in the low-20s minute range, rather than a full workload.
Even so, those 20-plus minutes could be game-changing. Wembanyama has already shown that he doesn’t need heavy minutes to leave a massive imprint on the game.
His season average sits just under 34 minutes per night, and while he may not get back to that number immediately, the impact he makes in limited time is undeniable. Whether it’s altering shots, stretching the floor, or finishing above the rim, Wemby’s presence alone shifts the dynamics on both ends.
The Spurs are in the NBA Cup final with their young star back in the fold-and even in a limited role, Wembanyama is proving he’s more than capable of tipping the scales.