**Wembanyama Struggles, Spurs Fall To Warriors**

ZAGO 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Oct 25, 2024

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Wembanyama Struggles, Spurs Fall to Warriors in Preseason Opener

The San Antonio Spurs kicked off their preseason campaign with a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, with highly-anticipated rookie Victor Wembanyama struggling in his NBA debut.

Wembanyama's Debut: A Mixed Bag

The 19-year-old French phenom, considered the top prospect in years, showed flashes of his immense potential but ultimately finished with a quiet 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 27 minutes. Wembanyama struggled with his shot, going 4-of-13 from the field, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.

Despite the shooting struggles, Wembanyama impressed with his defensive presence, showcasing his long wingspan and athleticism to swat away shots and disrupt the Warriors' offense. He also showed flashes of his unique offensive skillset, including a few impressive post moves and a couple of thunderous dunks.

Warriors Dominate Despite Draymond's Absence

The Warriors, playing without their veteran leader Draymond Green, dominated the Spurs throughout the game, ultimately securing a 124-98 victory. The Warriors' offense was clicking on all cylinders, led by Jordan Poole's 25 points, while Klay Thompson chipped in 21 points. The Warriors' bench also contributed significantly, with Jonathan Kuminga scoring 16 points and Moses Moody adding 15 points.

Takeaways from the Spurs' Opening Loss

While the result wasn't ideal for the Spurs, there were a few encouraging signs.

• Young Talent Shines: Jeremy Sochan had a breakout game, leading the Spurs with 20 points, including 4 three-pointers. Devin Vassell also added 15 points, showcasing the team's young core's potential.
• Wembanyama's Learning Curve: It's important to remember that Wembanyama is still adjusting to the NBA game and the physicality of the league. His struggles in this game are expected, and his potential remains extremely high.
• Defensive Potential: Despite the loss, the Spurs showed flashes of defensive brilliance, particularly with Wembanyama's presence in the paint.

The Spurs' next preseason game is on October 12th against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wembanyama and the Spurs will be looking to build on the positives from this game and improve their performance in the upcoming contests.