Wembanyama Adapting to Defensive Pressure After Lakers Hold Spurs in Check

LOS ANGELES — Victor Wembanyama is getting an early lesson in how quickly the NBA adapts. The San Antonio Spurs rookie star admitted that the game “feels fast right now” after the Lakers became the second straight team to successfully contain him in a narrow 118–116 loss Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

The 21-year-old French center, coming off a frustrating performance against the Phoenix Suns, found himself again battling double-teams and physical defensive schemes that limited his usual dominance. Despite finishing with a team-high 19 points, Wembanyama shot just 5-for-14 from the field, committed five turnovers, and fouled out in the closing minutes.

“It’s new to me,” Wembanyama said after the game. “I haven’t seen this kind of defense before. Teams are really prepared for me, and we’re learning how to adapt together.” The Lakers’ defensive focus mirrored Phoenix’s strategy from earlier in the week — keeping Wembanyama off balance, denying deep post touches, and collapsing on him whenever he caught the ball near the paint.

San Antonio still had a chance to force overtime. With 0.2 seconds left, Julian Champagnie missed the first of two free throws that could have tied the game, then intentionally missed the second. Keldon Johnson’s tip-in attempt at the buzzer rolled off, sealing the Spurs’ second straight defeat.

1. Double-Teams and Defensive Discipline

Opponents have clearly studied how to disrupt the Spurs’ young centerpiece. Against the Suns on Sunday, Wembanyama was held to just nine points and six turnovers — the second game of his career with fewer than 10 points and at least five miscues. The Lakers followed that blueprint on Wednesday, crowding him immediately after each catch and forcing him to make quick, pressured decisions. “Mostly, it was the doubling,” Wembanyama explained. “They were ready. It looked like they went through every situation in shootaround. They let me catch it, but were ready to double and rotate right away.” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged that the team must help its star get the ball in better positions. “We need to get to our spots earlier,” Johnson said. “He needs to be more demonstrative — to demand the ball. If he has to yell at all of us, including me, that’s fine. That’s part of his growth.” Despite the challenges, the Spurs’ balanced offense showed promise. Each starter scored at least 14 points, and the bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves 38–21 while shooting an impressive 14-for-15. Still, Wembanyama’s foul issues and turnovers proved costly in a tightly contested finish.

2. Fouls and Fatigue Shift the Momentum

The Spurs built a 12-point lead late in the third quarter but couldn’t hold on as the Lakers surged behind a 30–20 fourth quarter. Wembanyama, who scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half — including eight free throws — was limited by foul trouble that disrupted his rhythm and aggressiveness. He wasn’t alone in frustration. Both Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan fouled out in the final 90 seconds, leaving San Antonio without key contributors during the game’s decisive moments. The team’s starters went 1-for-12 from the field in the fourth quarter, unable to find consistent offense as the Lakers capitalized on free throws and transition play. “We had a rough second half,” rookie guard Stephon Castle said. “We had the lead, and we let it slip with fouls and missed opportunities. But Vic’s going to bounce back. He works hard, he studies film, and he understands what it takes.” Even with the growing pains, San Antonio’s young core continues to show resilience. The team has been competitive in every loss so far, with Wembanyama’s defensive presence and versatility still anchoring their identity.

3. Learning and Adjusting

For Wembanyama, the last two games have underscored the need for adaptation. He said his focus after each loss is to study film, understand defensive tendencies, and anticipate how teams plan to challenge him next. “There’s no worry,” he said. “We’re getting better, and so are our opponents. The game feels fast right now, but we’ll catch up.” The rookie remains confident that these early challenges will accelerate both his and the team’s development. “It feels like teams are very prepared,” he said. “When we face these kinds of defenses, it’s only going to make us better — and faster.” Coach Johnson echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the experience is invaluable for such a young roster. “This is part of the process,” he said. “You can’t simulate this kind of pressure in practice. Every game teaches us something.” As the Spurs prepare for their next stretch, the focus will be on adjustments — both tactical and mental. For Wembanyama, learning to slow the game down and handle attention from opposing defenses is the next crucial step in his NBA evolution.