Growing pains for Victor Wembanyama in Spurs’ loss to Mavericks

He San Antonio SpursThe season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday didn’t have the textbook debut some fans might have hoped for, ending in a 120-109 loss.

Still, there were moments that allowed us to glimpse the potential of this young Spurs team. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie shared the team lead with 18 points each, while senior Harrison Barnes scored a reliable 17 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting night.

Rookie Stephon Castle also impressed, scoring eight points with five assists and three rebounds in limited minutes, showing composure on both ends of the floor.

But if we’re honest, all eyes were on Victor Wembanyama, and his sophomore debut left Spurs fans wanting.

The 2023-24 NBA Rookie scored 17 points, but his shooting woes were highlighted as he was just 5 of 18 from the field, including just 1 of 8 from beyond the arc.

He had four turnovers, some awkward moments in the post and lacked that explosive edge many expected. Growing pains? Probably, but Wembanyama makes no excuses.

READ MORE: Spurs fall 120-109 to Mavericks, Wembanyama struggles to find rhythm

“It’s a struggle,” he admitted after the game. “None of us have really played four games since the middle of the summer for me. Conditioning is not an excuse. I will have different weapons. We need to know when to use them. So for missed shots, it’s more about getting used to taking shots in a game environment.”

The Mavericks clearly devised a game plan to put significant pressure on Wembanyama, sending him multiple defenders every time he touched the ball. While this may have limited his effectiveness, it is essential to remember that one game does not define a player’s season.

For now, it’s important to view this opening night as a learning experience and not a cause for alarm.

Spurs have a long season ahead of them and Wembanyama will have ample opportunities to showcase his talents.

What we learned: 3 takeaways from the Spurs preseason

It takes a castle: Stephon’s castle’s impact on the pitch starts there

Julian Champagnie’s approach to starting a new season? ‘Keep shooting’