The San Antonio Spurs have been without Victor Wembanyama for their last seven games-and here’s the twist: they’ve gone 5-2 in that stretch. It’s a run that’s raised eyebrows for all the right reasons.
De’Aaron Fox has been electric, reminding everyone why he’s not just a blur in transition but an All-NBA-level guard entering his prime. The Spurs have found ways to win, even without the 7'4" unicorn anchoring their defense and altering every shot in sight.
But if you dig a little deeper, the cracks are still there-specifically on the defensive end. Without Wembanyama, the Spurs are struggling to string together stops. And while the offense has held up, the defense without their generational big man is a different story entirely.
To help patch that hole, San Antonio made a move to shore up its frontcourt depth, signing Luke Kornet to a four-year, $40.7 million deal. Kornet brings size and experience, and in theory, he should help stabilize the interior when Wemby isn't on the floor.
Fox is no slouch defensively either-he’s quick, disruptive, and can pressure the ball. Rookie Stephon Castle, a 2024 first-round pick, has the tools to become a plus defender on the perimeter.
But tools and potential don’t always translate to immediate results.
And right now, the results are telling a clear story: without Wembanyama, the Spurs’ defense is vulnerable.
Let’s talk numbers. With Wemby on the floor, San Antonio allows just 105.5 points per 100 possessions-a top-tier mark.
But when he’s off? That number balloons to 117.2.
That’s an 11.7-point swing, and it’s not just a statistical blip. Over this recent seven-game stretch without him, the Spurs have posted a defensive rating of 117.0.
That’s right in line with the season-long trend, reinforcing that this isn’t just a small-sample fluke-it’s a real issue.
Kornet, for all his value as a floor spacer and a smart team player, hasn’t filled the defensive void. In the 183 minutes he’s played over the last seven games, the Spurs have allowed 118.0 points per 100 possessions-the worst mark of any Spur who’s logged at least 60 minutes in that span.
When Kornet sits, that number drops to 110.8. That’s not insignificant.
It suggests that while Kornet may be helping in other areas, he’s not anchoring the defense the way San Antonio needs when their franchise centerpiece is unavailable.
So where does that leave the Spurs?
First, it’s important to note that Kornet still contributes to winning basketball. The Spurs have a positive net rating of +2.2 with him on the floor during Wembanyama’s absence.
This isn’t about scapegoating-it’s about identifying where the roster needs reinforcement. And right now, the Spurs need more defensive reliability, especially on the wing.
San Antonio is loaded with young perimeter talent, but consistency on defense has been elusive. The numbers back it up: they rank 26th in three-point field goals allowed per game and 28th in opponent three-point percentage. Only Brooklyn and Charlotte-two teams buried at the bottom of the standings-are giving up more efficient looks from deep.
That’s not where you want to be, especially if you’re trying to build a team around a transcendent defensive talent like Wembanyama. He can cover a lot of ground-literally and figuratively-but he can’t be everywhere.
If the Spurs are serious about contending in the long term, they need to lighten the load on him defensively. That might mean exploring trade options before the deadline.
Could internal development solve the problem? Maybe.
Castle could make a leap. Other young players could tighten up their rotations and communication.
But if February rolls around and the defense is still bleeding points without Wemby, San Antonio has to be ready to make a move.
This is a team with a generational player at its core. The front office’s job is to build a roster that doesn’t just survive when he’s off the floor-it competes. That means finding defenders who can hold the line, protect the perimeter, and buy time for Wembanyama to rest without the scoreboard unraveling.
The Spurs have shown they can win without their star. Now it’s about building a defense that can do the same.