When two of the NBA’s premier big men share the floor, it’s always worth tuning in - even if the showdown doesn’t go the full 12 rounds. That was the case in San Antonio, where Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo briefly crossed paths before the Spurs turned the game into a blowout and the Bucks looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
San Antonio came out swinging, building a lead that ballooned to 39 points at one stage, as Milwaukee’s defense fell apart in spectacular fashion. This wasn’t just a bad night - it looked like a team in crisis mode.
The Bucks offered little resistance, and the Spurs, fresh off a tough loss in Oklahoma City, took full advantage. For San Antonio, it was a much-needed palate cleanser.
For Milwaukee, it was another stumble in what’s becoming a concerning stretch.
The tone shifted in the second quarter when Wembanyama returned from a brief injury scare - he’d banged knees with Antetokounmpo - and came back looking like he’d been injected with adamantium. He caught fire from deep, hitting five of his six three-point attempts, and the Spurs rode that wave to a 40-point third quarter, tying their second-highest output in any quarter this season. From there, it was all but over.
The Spurs now have two more home games before heading out on a short two-game road trip, but the bigger story is just how far this team has come.
Surpassing Expectations
At the halfway point of the season, San Antonio sits tied with Denver for the third-best record in the league at 28-13, good for the second seed in the Western Conference. That’s despite Wembanyama missing 13 games and Nikola Jokić sitting out nine.
This isn’t just a nice story - it’s a legitimate rise. Keep in mind, ESPN’s preseason projection had the Spurs winning 41.8 games.
With 41 games still to play, they’ve already blown past the halfway mark of that estimate.
This team isn’t just riding a hot streak. They’re deep, well-coached, and showing the kind of consistency that’s built to last. The growth is real, and the ceiling is still rising.
Wemby vs. Giannis: The (Brief) Battle
This marked the fourth time Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo have shared the court, and while Giannis still holds the statistical edge in points, rebounds, and assists over those matchups, Wemby has clearly emerged as the superior rim protector. His block numbers aren’t just high - they’re game-changing. He alters shots, deters drives, and makes elite scorers think twice.
That said, this particular matchup didn’t offer much in terms of direct clashes. Wembanyama spent most of his time operating from the middle of the floor and beyond the arc, while Giannis wasn’t overly aggressive in attacking him.
There wasn’t much physicality between them, even on the boards. Still, any time Wemby gets to measure himself against a two-time MVP, it’s a valuable learning experience - and a reminder of how quickly he’s closing the gap.
The Rookie Watch: Carter Bryant
With the game out of hand early, the fourth quarter turned into a showcase for the reserves. Among them, rookie Carter Bryant continues to be one to watch.
He went 0-for-6 from the field, including a missed dunk, but his value isn’t in the box score - at least not yet. He’s a high-level athlete with a motor that doesn’t stop, and he’s already showing flashes of the kind of defensive intensity that earns playoff minutes down the line.
He’s still raw offensively, and yes, he’s missed a few too many dunks for comfort (enough that there’s apparently a running joke about him joining the “shaved head club” if he misses three more), but his physicality and hustle stand out. In a league where grown-man strength matters more than ever in the postseason, Bryant is ahead of the curve for a rookie.
Wembanyama’s Defensive Dominance
There’s something surreal about watching Wembanyama on defense. His block numbers are already leading the league, but it’s the way he does it - the timing, the reach, the casual violence - that makes him must-see TV. He’ll pin a shot to the backboard with both hands like he’s swatting a balloon, and he makes it look easy.
Sure, he’ll occasionally give up rebounding position chasing blocks, but when you’re altering shots the way he does, it’s a trade-off most coaches will live with. His presence alone changes how teams attack the paint, and it’s not hyperbole to say he’s already one of the most impactful defenders in the league.
Bucks in Trouble?
After the game, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers tried to spin the performance, saying his team was “playing the right way.” But let’s be honest - there was nothing right about what Milwaukee put on the floor.
This is a team that’s been giving up over 34 open or wide-open threes per game, and the effort level just wasn’t there. At times, it looked like they’d already checked out.
When Kobe Bryant once talked about teams playing “accidental basketball,” this might’ve been what he meant - a group of professionals giving up the kind of space that turns average shooters into All-Stars. It’s one thing to get beat. It’s another to look like you’re not even trying to stop it.
The Bucks have talent, no question. But they’ve now been blown out in back-to-back games, and it’s fair to wonder if something deeper is going on. Whether it’s schematic, motivational, or something else, they’ll need to figure it out - fast.
Final Word
This wasn’t just a blowout win for the Spurs - it was a statement. They’re not just ahead of schedule; they’re firmly in the mix.
Wembanyama continues to evolve into a two-way force, and the supporting cast is stepping up in a big way. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s struggles are becoming harder to ignore.
The NBA may not have the same number of dominant big men as it did in decades past, but when Wemby and Giannis share the floor - even briefly - it’s a reminder of how special the position can still be. Let’s hope we get a full-strength version of this matchup next time.