Victor Wembanyama said he needs to be more of a team player after the San Antonio Spurs fell behind 2-1 in the Western Conference finals [1].
The admission comes as the Spurs struggle to find a cohesive offensive rhythm against the Oklahoma City Thunder, placing more pressure on Wembanyama to evolve from a primary scorer into a playmaker.
The Spurs lost Game 3 on Friday night with a final score of 123-108 [1]. While San Antonio had a quick start, they lagged as the game progressed. A significant disparity in depth played a role, as the Oklahoma City bench outscored the Spurs bench 76-23 [1].
Wembanyama finished the game with between 24 and 26 points [1], while Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also recorded 26 points [1]. Despite the scoring output, Wembanyama expressed dissatisfaction with his impact on the overall team flow.
"I need to be more of a team player," Wembanyama said [1].
The forward identified a lack of playmaking and limited assists as key factors in the loss. He said that his individual performance was not enough to overcome the Thunder's collective effort.
"I have to be better at involving my teammates," Wembanyama said [2].
The Spurs now face a critical juncture in the series. With the Thunder holding a 2-1 lead, San Antonio must adjust their strategy to avoid falling into a deeper hole before the series shifts or continues in the playoffs.
“"I need to be more of a team player."”
Wembanyama's public pivot toward a playmaking role suggests the Spurs are struggling with an offense that is too reliant on individual brilliance. In a high-stakes series against a balanced team like the Thunder, the ability to distribute the ball and elevate teammates is often the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.
