Victor Wembanyama points out the biggest challenge in the Rockets match

The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets goes into the game separated by just one loss near the top of the Western Conference standings. On top of that, they are rivals. And to add a new layer: the two Texas franchises are just a week away from The Rockets erase a 16-point deficit in a rally to win Victor Vembanyama and the Spurs.

“I think there are a few teams like that, for sure, but Houston is up there,” Wembanyama said of the toughness with which their division rivals play. “The metrics say that in terms of offensive rebounds, turnovers of people; their game plan in general.”

Physicality — or their problem with it in the Spurs’ case — has become a theme in recent weeks. Their latest game ended with a loss to a rough New Orleans Pelicans team it’s at the bottom of the conference.

A week before that, The Oklahoma City Thunder introduced their brand of basketball in the attack on San Antonio. That came after an outing in which the Minnesota Timberwolves, namely Julius Randle, refused to give Wembey any breathing room.

“Houston is another team that plays as physical as they do, maybe even more so. So we have to be ready for that,” San Antonio guard Devin Vassell said after the loss to New Orleans.

The Spurs are talking about a physical mindset

It may sound counterintuitive at first, but Spurs insist any fitness issues they have start with their brains.

“Yes, it’s mental, but it’s not that we lack the will to do it,” Vembanyama replied when asked if the problems were physical or between the ears.

“It’s recognition and sometimes in our business you lose sight of what actually pays off. And it’s easier to lose sight of what pays off if it’s something that’s labeled as difficult, like the physical nature,” Spurs’ top scorer continued.

The Rockets, like the Pelicans, Thunder and Timberwolves before them, can roll out long, sprawling lineups against the Spurs. Adding to the difficulty is that The crew of Castle Stephon experienced when quality opponents choked.

“I think we just have to keep playing our game. With the backs that we have, we’re super dynamic, so I feel like we can play against a lot of different lineups, and especially don’t give up anything on defense,” said the reigning Rookie of the Year. “So yeah, offensively we’re just sticking to the same thing we’ve been doing. We’re just playing our game and then making the defense stop it.”

San Antonio controlled most of what turned into a 111-106 loss in Houston eight days before the next meeting.

“Same as usual, blowing a 15-plus point lead … We’re all into it.”

But we are aware that this is a problem.” ⬇

-Victor Vembaniama follows another #Spurs carried over a big lead, this 16 in Houston in a 111-106 loss#PorVida#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/ziJSkRoInk

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) January 21, 2026

“We have a talented basketball team and maybe sometimes we rely too much on it. Our talent often gets us out, but it’s the shots,” Wemby revealed. “There are days when you can’t shoot, so you have to be able to impact the game in all other areas.”

Seething over the Pelicans lossdropping the Spurs to 4-4 in their last eight, Vembanjama is eyeing another shot at the Rockets.

“We’ve had two days in the video room to sort things out. We’re ready.”