The San Antonio Spurs are 0-2 against the Houston Rockets over the last eight days, and it’s been a relative struggle for French rookie and phenom Victor Wembanyama.
While still providing defensive value with his length and versatility, the 7-foot-4 big man averaged just 11.5 points per game while shooting just 40.9 percent from the field. That’s well below his season average of 20.8 points per game on 46.8% shooting.
In the post-match comments after Tuesday’s home defeat, “Wemby” was asked about the challenges of being defended by Houston and its physical defenders, like Dillon Brooks. By Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, Wembanyama responded:
Physicality, energy. Every night it’s a challenge, but they’re a very aggressive team defensively, so that’s the hardest part.
For Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, known for his defensive principles and emphasis on tough, uncompromising play, these comments should be music to his ears. Houston (30-35), who ranks seventh in the NBA in terms of defensive ratinghas now won five of its last six games and four in a row on the road.
The Rockets are now 5-1 in March, and Brooks self-proclaimed physical presence against Wembanyama has made a clear difference in two of those five wins to date.
For the 2023-24 season, Houston finishes with three wins in four games against the Spurs. The only loss came in overtime in October.
Wemby on the challenges of being defended by the hard-nosed Dillon Brooks and every other body the Rockets throw at him:
“The physicality, the energy. Every night it’s a challenge, but they’re a very aggressive team defensively, so that’s the hardest part.”
–Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) March 13, 2024
#Rockets beat Spurs 103-101
After the @Houston Rockets WIN Dillon Brooks (14 points) talked about winning and defending Victor Wembanyama pic.twitter.com/xHU7sWoIRR
– Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 13, 2024
