Victor Wembanyama look different for Game 6. For every way. The long robe wey e wear to San Antonio arena on Thursday night, na to celebrate Islamic holiday, but e remind some people of im look last summer for Shaolin temple wey e visit to find physical, mental and spiritual growth. The fresh haircut, another sign say e ready for business.
“I see picture before game,” Spurs guard Devin Vassell tell NBA TV. “I know say e don lock in from there, for sure.”
For court, Wembanyama return to im dominant self. Facing elimination game for first time for im career, Wembanyama — wey talk fire for teammates before game, something wey e no dey do — look comfortable. E get 28 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists, on 10-for-21 shooting for 28 minutes, lead Spurs past Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 to tie Western Conference finals at 3-3.
“I think we dey consistent,” Wembanyama yarn. “And we do wetin we need to do.”
Game 7 na Saturday night for Oklahoma City, the place where Wembanyama start this West title series with 41-point, 24-rebound masterpiece wey carry Spurs to double-overtime win. If e win again on Saturday, e and Spurs go head to NBA Finals against New York Knicks.
From start, Wembanyama imprint dey Game 6. After win opening tip-off, im next three plays go like this — make 3-pointer, block shot, another make 3-pointer. The tone set, and Spurs never trail.
Na very different approach from Game 5, where Wembanyama get 20 points on just 4-for-15 shooting. “I go say im overall activity,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson talk, when dem ask am to describe biggest difference between Game 5 and 6 for im biggest and best player. “That, probably from my perspective, na just from im will and intent to leave im prints on game.”
Wembanyama get most of fourth quarter off, because game don decide long time. Game 6 no finish, but e dey think about Game 7. Harrison Barnes, the team third-oldest player, dey Wembanyama ear during fourth quarter for Spurs bench, offer wisdom. E yarn. Wembanyama nod. Whatever message, e clear.
“Listening to experienced people, whether na for our team, for our staff or outside,” Wembanyama talk when dem ask am wetin first dey come im mind when preparing for Game 7.
The robe wey e wear to Thursday game, e confirm for French during im postgame news conference, no be homage to im time last June for China for Shaolin temple — but to celebrate Eid al-Adha, an Islamic holiday. And during that same French portion of im remarks, dem ask am if e fit take moment to even think how far Spurs don come. Short answer: no.
“I absolutely no get desire to do that right now,” e yarn.
The formula for this series hold true again Thursday. When Wembanyama be the most dominant player, the Spurs don win. When e no be, dem don lose. For the three Spurs wins, e average 34 points on 51% shooting.
“E no always perfect and we get to help am at times, obviously,” Johnson talk. “E be 22 years old, but im passion and desire to dey right where e dey and for forefront of all and to take the responsibility and the role and burden of wetin e do. I no know wetin else to say. E dey comfortable with that regardless of outcome and wetin that fit look like.”
