San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama looked like he was going to run away with the MVP award after five games.
During that span, the 21-year-old averaged 30.2 points, 14.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 4.8 blocks. The Spurs also went 5-0 for the first time in franchise history.
The NBA regular season is a marathon and not a sprint, though. That’s why we may have to cool the jets before laying out the red carpet. In two losses to open November, Wembanyama was limited to averages of 14.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, a steal and 2.5 blocks. Those are numbers a lot of big men would take but are unlikely to bring home The Michael Jordan Trophy.
Credit where it’s due, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers devised plans to disrupt Wembanyama’s rhythm as much as possible and they worked to a tee.
“It feels like the game is going fast somehow,” Wembanyama said after Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers. “It feels like, as we get better as a team and as we get better individually, the opponents have stepped up in some ways defensively. I feel, in a way, the game feels fast right now.
“We’re gonna catch up on it but it’s on us to see how quick.”
Wembanyama’s sixth sense is right in anticipating that upcoming opponents will follow suit. The Houston Rockets used a similar strategy and limited Wembanyama to four first half points. He bounced back with 18 in the second half to help the Spurs snap their losing streak.
Let’s take a closer look at specifically what the Suns and Lakers did that was so effective. We’ll also examine how the return of De’Aaron Fox — who’s set to make his season debut Saturday — should throw a wrench in these plans and how Wembanyama will benefit from seeing these schemes long-term.
Suns Couldn’t Catch Wembanyama Up High, So They Reached Down Low
As if the challenge of going up against Wembanyama wasn’t overwhelming enough, he’s now listed at 7 feet 5 inches this season. Some speculate he’s actually even taller than that. With his 8-foot wingspan, it’s safe to say contesting his shots are a pipe dream.
What is possible, though, is troubling him as much as possible before, during and immediately following his catches. Whether it was Mark Williams, Royce O’Neale or Jordan Goodwin at times, the goal was straightforward and blatant.
Get Wembanyama to exert as much energy — both mentally and physically — into just having to receive the ball. Then, make him feel heightened ball pressure where he can’t have a relaxed dribble. Finally, create enough of a difficult pathway to the basket, so he’s deterred into attempting difficult passes.
Victor Wembanyama missed shots and turnovers vs the Suns
(4-14 shooting, 6 turnovers)
Massive props to the Suns for a creative scheme pic.twitter.com/gs2so9TsRb
— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) November 3, 2025
Different with the Suns’ approach was their center, Williams, didn’t serve as Wembanyama’s primary defender. They wanted the ball pressure and intensity of O’Neale, instead having Williams on Julian Champagnie and ready to help when required. Both Goodwin and O’Neale applied excellent pressure to force Wembanyama to be extra wary about making a clean catch and dribbling.
Against the Suns, Wembanyama shot a woeful 4-of-14, including 1-of-5 from three. He also had six turnovers. When the Frenchman talks about the game feeling fast, that’s exactly what well-executed ball pressure and double-teams are intended to do.
“Don’t let them catch it on the spot they want to,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said of his team’s strategy. “They play a lot through the elbows and into the post, just don’t let that catch be easy.”
Lakers Used Speed Outside, Strength Inside
Lakers head coach JJ Redick knew Wembanyama can get what he wants against bigs on the perimeter. He can get his shot off or blow by them to the basket.
Picking their poison, the Lakers were happy to have their guards and forwards defend Wembanyama on the outside, with the likes of Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes ready to help on the interior. Again, the key is in making Wembanyama have to expend both mental and physical effort for every second of the shot clock.
He has to be a lot more wary of his dribble around perimeter players rather than centers and isn’t going to intimidate the Lakers’ bigs with his strength. Perimeter players were alert to Wembanyama at all times as well. Even when bigs were doing their best to deter him, the likes of Marcus Smart were ready and waiting if there was an opportunity to take a charge.
Before fouling out, Wembanyama finished this contest with 19 points (5-of-14 shooting) and five turnovers.
“I changed up some things in our defense for me to just be that guy and the focal point of just being the low man every time and really letting our guards be the ones to bruise him up a bit.” Deandre Ayton on the Lakers’ defensive plans against Victor Wembanyama. pic.twitter.com/rJzRCYJUBI
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 5, 2025
What Does Fox’s Return Change For The Spurs?
The biggest area Fox will help is with San Antonio’s pace. The Spurs currently rank 27th in pace and 16th in half-court offensive rating . Head coach Mitch Johnson will expect Fox to help quicken that up in the right ways.
Playing at a slower tempo doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. But with what opposing teams are now trying against Wembanyama, it can be. Fox will help the Spurs get into their offense earlier in the shot clock and buy them invaluable time. He’ll also keep the defense on its heels with his breakneck speed and create easier opportunities in transition.
When Ott spoke of his strategy, he also explained the importance of applying pressure on whoever brought the ball up the floor. They made passing into Wembanyama as difficult as possible and took time off the shot clock early, so Wembanyama had less time with which to work.
Fox is the Spurs’ best ball-handler and will welcome the pressure. His individual scoring and ability to get into the paint will forces defenses to pick and choose. That’ll be a deviation from the current all-in style they can employ to negate Wembanyama and live with his teammates beating them.
Perimeter defenders selling out on Wembanyama will provide Fox with ample opportunities to drive against late closeouts. The Lakers and Suns benefited from the absence of both Fox and Dylan Harper.
How Do Wembanyama, Spurs Grow From This?
For Wembanyama, two things emerge to individually address and grow.
First, he has to learn to recognize where help is coming from quicker and make better decisions. There were a few bewildering plays in which Wembanyama tried to make a pass with his back to the basket on one side of the floor all the way to the opposite corner. Opposing defenders were able to easily anticipate it and turn the Spurs over.
We also seem to forget, because of his immense talent and physical stature, he’s still just a 21-year-old figuring things out. Having film to watch, study and learn from will be immense for his handling of double-teams and general ball pressure in the future.
Similarly, the team around him is also young. The likes of Harper, Stephon Castle and others will understand exactly how teams are hurrying them up and making the game faster for everyone. With experience, the game will slow down. That’s when the league will have a much bigger problem on its hands.
Wembanyama has already shown just how willing a learner he is. From spending time with monks in China to training with Kevin Garnett and Hakeem Olajuwon, he is clearly intent on expediting his learning process.
Opposing defenses providing these types of tests is exactly what’s going to help him do that.
