Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs lost their 17th consecutive meeting in Houston (93-82) on Monday in the NBA, a record for the franchise. The Spurs therefore managed to do worse than the 16 consecutive losses suffered last season, when they finished last in the Western Conference (22 wins – 60 losses). Wembanyama scored 15 points, took 18 rebounds and managed 5 blocks against Houston, without avoiding defeat for his team, while also being quite clumsy (1 of 6 three-pointers, 5 turnovers). Disappointed, but combative, the Frenchman prefers to project himself.
“I hate losing, but I stay focused on the long term”
“Our defense was solid, we have to keep that. We have no choice but to keep moving forward. No one on the team doubts that in the long term, we will be winners. I hate losing, but I stay focused in the long term,” breathed the Frenchman. The giant (2.24 m) will be able to console himself with a shattering “poster dunk” during the third quarter, with one hand, in the duel with the opposing pivot Alperen Sengun.
PUT EM ON TO POST‼️ pic.twitter.com/feypg3Gmha
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 12, 2023
A small ray of sunshine in a new evening of misery for the Spurs, catastrophic in shooting (35.6%, including 5 out of 41 for 12.2% from distance). “They were very good in defense, they fought, but you have to be able to make the shots,” said coach Gregg Popovich.
The young Texans, last in the West (3 wins – 19 losses), have not won since November 2 in Phoenix. On Wednesday and Friday, they twice host LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers, who just won the NBA Cup last week.