The San Antonio Spurs just keep rolling, and Wednesday night in the Bay was no exception. With a strong fourth-quarter push, they took care of business against the Golden State Warriors, continuing what's shaping up to be a statement season. And while Victor Wembanyama didn’t quite match the jaw-dropping 40-point explosion he had against the Lakers the night before, he was still every bit the force we've come to expect-dropping an efficient 26 points and anchoring both ends of the floor with his usual poise.
Now, Wemby’s staying put in California, but this time it’s not for another road game-it’s for the All-Star festivities in Los Angeles. And in classic Wembanyama fashion, when asked what he’s most excited about for the weekend, his answer was as calm and measured as his game: “Going to bed one hour later,” he told ESPN with a grin after the win over Golden State.
That answer tracks. Wembanyama has made no secret of his preference for a disciplined routine-early nights and quiet time with a book instead of late-night parties. But this weekend, even he’s loosening the schedule a bit for the league’s biggest midseason showcase.
And he’s earned every bit of that spotlight.
Wembanyama has quickly gone from top prospect to top-five player in the league. His defensive presence is already being talked about in historic terms-he’s not just the best shot-blocker in the league, he’s arguably the most impactful defender in the game right now.
Offensively, he’s just as dangerous. Need proof?
It took him all of five minutes to hang 17 points on the Lakers’ second unit earlier this week, and he finished that game with 40-despite barely needing to break a sweat in the second half thanks to a commanding Spurs lead.
The bigger picture? San Antonio is no longer just a team with a generational talent-they’re winning, and winning consistently.
The Spurs are sitting in second place in the Western Conference, and they’ve already taken down the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder four times this season. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a team making noise with real staying power.
It’s looking more and more like Wembanyama’s first playoff appearance is just around the corner. And while postseason basketball is a different beast-more physical, more intense, more strategic-there’s every reason to believe this young Spurs squad is ready for the challenge. With Wemby leading the charge, they’ve got the kind of ceiling that makes the rest of the West nervous.
But before the playoff push begins in earnest, Wembanyama will take center stage at the All-Star Game on Sunday. And while he might be staying up a little later than usual, don’t expect his game to lose any sharpness. Wemby’s not just showing up for the festivities-he’s arriving as one of the league’s brightest stars, ready to shine on the biggest stage.