Mitch Johnson discusses Victor Wembanyama’s part in the San Antonio “puzzle.”
Mitch Johnson didn’t dance around the obvious. Victor Vembanyama is the centerpiece of the San Antonio Spursbut he is not the whole picture.
After San Antonio knocked off the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Cup semi-final, the Spurs head coach framed the win in terms of balance, not just brilliance. “I think we’re very comfortable recognizing Victor as the face of our franchise and the biggest piece of our puzzle,” Johnson said. “But he’s not a puzzle per se and he doesn’t want to be, and we’re a team, we’re a group.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on the importance of those around Victor Wembanyama contributing at a high level against a team like the Thunder:
“Viktor is the face of our franchise… he is not a puzzle himself. pic.twitter.com/a1ikE434i4
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) December 14, 2025
Vembanjama delivered in his returnbut he didn’t steal the game. He finished with 22 points and nine reboundsmaking his presence felt on both sides while playing controlled minutes. His length, changing shots, his touch calmed the offense late, and his gravitas opened up space for others to operate.
That “other” part was important. Spurs did not survive the heroism of isolation. They moved the ball, defended in sync and matched Oklahoma City’s pace with physicality and discipline. Against one of the league’s deepest and most confident young teams, San Antonio didn’t blink.
2025-12-14 06:27:00
