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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama scores a career-low 6 points in loss to Thunder's Chet Holmgren

San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama scored a career-low six points by shooting 1 of 5 from the field and 0 of 3 from the 3-point line in a 105-93 loss to his also in the second Year big man Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Wembanyama only scored in single digits three times in his rookie season. The Thunder became the first team to hold him under 10 points last season when he recorded eight points and 14 rebounds in a loss to Oklahoma City on November 14, 2023. Wembanyama grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots in Wednesday's loss.

Holmgren finished second behind Wembanyama in the 2024 Rookie of the Year voting, but prevailed against Wembanyama in the final duel. Holmgren started the game by blocking one of Wembanyama's shots on the opening play and blocking Jeremy Sochan seconds later on the same possession.

In addition to the win, Homgren had 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks on 7 of 10 shooting and 3 of 3 from distance.

The Thunder remain undefeated and improve to 4-0, while the Spurs fall to 1-3 and have yet to win a game on the road.

Lessons for Spurs

An important evening for Wembanyama and San Antonio, not because of the result but because of the lessons learned. Arguably the best defensive team in the league, Oklahoma City used a combination of a raucous crowd and physicality to nullify Wembanyama and render him ineffective.

Other teams watching this game will certainly look to implement parts of the Thunder's approach by pressing Wembanyama at the top and maintaining length at the rim.

The Spurs are currently on the rise offensively and simply haven't come together as a unit through the first four games, but the bigger story is Wembanyama's inconsistency entering his second year. There was a real lack of aggression, especially when smaller defenders clung to him and his body language suggested he was either tired or frustrated. If San Antonio has any hopes of improving its 22-60 record, it starts in statement games like these.

As for the rivalry with Holmgren, the Thunder big planted his flag in the ground on Wednesday evening and won the first duel with ease. — Kelly Iko, NBA staff writer

What they say

“It’s a very good team overall,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after the loss. “It's a playoff team that could very likely go deep into the playoffs – and maybe do even better. They are a better team than us. But that's not the point either. We try to reach their level.

“And it’s basketball, it’s the same things that take everyone to the next level. It's a 48 minute game. You have to bring it every quarter, every possession. So give them credit, one hell of a team. Really well trained, they are disciplined and consistent. I love your team. But I also love my team, but we have more work to do than they do. And our guys have to understand that, embrace it, be professional in their approach and want to be more consistent in all of those areas.”

Required reading

(Photo: Alonzo Adams / Imagn Images)

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