Wembanyama to Stay on Minutes Restriction as Spurs Chase NBA Cup Final
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San Antonio rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama will again come off the bench and play roughly 21 minutes when the Spurs meet the Knicks on Tuesday, head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters. The plan mirrors the 7-foot-4 center’s limited return on Saturday, when his 21 minutes helped lift San Antonio past the defending champion Thunder and into the NBA Cup final.
Managing the Star’s Workload
“It’s hard. He wants to play. He wants to start. He wants to finish,” Johnson said, explaining that any minute allotment “has to fit with the rollout of who’s playing with who and how that affects others.”
Wembanyama, back after missing time with a calf strain, acknowledged the challenge but praised San Antonio’s style, calling it “so pure and ethical basketball.” He later clarified that the Spurs strive for “tactically more correct basketball” that avoids excessive isolation play.
Rising Expectations in San Antonio
The Spurs are 18-7 and went 9-3 while Wembanyama was sidelined, shifting locker-room goals from simply making the postseason to mounting a championship bid.
“We want to put ourselves in position to win a championship,” said guard De’Aaron Fox, acquired in a February trade. “With the talent we have, we know we’re a playoff team, but we have to keep doing the little things to become a contender.” Fox added that he “hasn’t stopped smiling” since arriving in San Antonio, citing the roster’s willingness to sacrifice for one another.
Rookie Watch and Veteran Guidance
Despite eye-catching numbers from fellow rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, a Western Conference executive told Athlon Sports he still views Spurs guard Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick, as the class’s second-best player. “He plays with force… he’s competitive,” the executive said.
Veteran center Luke Kornet, who joined San Antonio on a four-year deal (the last two seasons non-guaranteed), said he embraces a larger leadership role on a young roster. “It’s about wanting more responsibility,” Kornet told ClutchPoints, noting the transition has impacted both his career and family life.
Confidence in Coach Johnson
Johnson’s first season at the helm has earned full buy-in from players and respect from opponents. “I trust Mitch a hundred percent,” guard Devin Vassell said after scoring a game-high 23 points against Oklahoma City. Vassell, once coached by Johnson in player development, called him “the brains of all of this.”
The Spurs face New York on Tuesday with Wembanyama still on a minutes cap, but with momentum—and ambitions—growing.
Source: Hoops Rumors
