UPDATE: The Golden State Warriors have unveiled an effective strategy to contain San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, leading to a hard-fought 125-120 victory on November 1, 2023. Facing off in San Antonio, the Warriors focused on making the towering 7-foot-5 player work for every point, a tactic that proved successful despite Wembanyama’s impressive stats.
In a game where the Warriors faced a formidable challenge, they knew Wembanyama’s unique combination of height, agility, and skills would be tough to neutralize. Warriors coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of wearing him down: “You’ve got to make him work for everything. You can’t give him the easy stuff.”
The Warriors deployed a rotating cast of five defenders against Wembanyama, including Draymond Green, Al Horford, Jonathan Kuminga, Will Richard, and Jimmy Butler during the first half. Despite Wembanyama recording a remarkable 31 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 36 minutes, the Warriors succeeded in forcing him into eight turnovers and contesting almost every shot he took.
Kerr’s strategy showed results, as the Warriors’ defense disrupted the Spurs’ rhythm, denying Wembanyama easy opportunities. “When he pulls up like that for 3, it’s hard to challenge it,” said Horford. “I felt like we did good, and we contained him as best we could.”
Green, despite standing nearly a foot shorter than Wembanyama, effectively utilized his strength and experience to challenge the rookie. His defensive prowess allowed teammates like Gary Payton II to swarm Wembanyama, mirroring strategies other teams have used to limit his scoring potential earlier this season.
The impact of Wembanyama’s presence in the game extended beyond his offensive contributions. His defensive capabilities have forced opponents to adjust their strategies, with players shooting 7.6% worse on average when guarded by him. However, Warriors star Steph Curry was undeterred, scoring 46 points and driving aggressively into the paint against Wembanyama, showcasing the Warriors’ adaptability.
With this victory, the Warriors improve to 7-6 on the season, and they will face Wembanyama and the Spurs once again on Friday for another crucial matchup in the NBA Cup group stage. “You don’t fight it, because you know that there might be some other options on the other side,” Curry said post-game. “His presence is crazy, but there’s other ways and other outlets to create offense if you can get into the paint.”
As the Warriors prepare for their next encounter with Wembanyama, all eyes will be on how they adjust their game plan further and whether they can replicate their success against the Spurs’ rising star. Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
