Mitch Johnson comes to Victor Wembanyama's defense after an atrocious season opener originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After the San Antonio Spurs' impressive run to the 2026 NBA Finals, all eyes have been on them. They had a tough first test to start the 2026-27 season because they just lost to their bitter rivals, the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a tough defeat, especially because Victor Wembanyama struggled mightily.
Wembanyama went 1-for-13 from the field, so he got most of his 12 points from the free-throw line. It was a bad night for him offensively, but he was still an intimidating defensive presence with his 13 rebounds, one steal, and six blocks. However, people also expect him to make an impact on offense.
Mitch Johnson defends Victor Wembanyama after a terrible season opener
On the other end of the floor, Wembanyama's MVP rival Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was dominant. He scored 32 points to lead his team to the victory, as he kept pouring in buckets from all over the court.
It was a disappointing performance from the Spurs, especially because a lot of people see them as contenders. With this kind of flat performance, people might get discouraged about what the Spurs could do this season. This was only one game, but it has set the tone for the Western Conference's two giants.
As the Spurs' head coach, Mitch Johnson was obviously disappointed in his team's performance. However, he did not want to single out Wembanyama for his inefficiencies because he thought the entire team did not show up properly for their season opener.
"Thought we came out probably really amped up, which would be understandable. I don't think we put our energy or channel that energy in the right places. Execution was not good... I think everybody struggled equally. I know obviously his field goal will stand out, but everyone that participated in that," Johnson said after the loss to the Thunder.
Of course, this is a big lesson for the Spurs. They are a fantastic team, but they are still learning. If they can cement themselves better, this would have been a much better performance. However, they do need their superstar to step up and prove why he's being considered as an MVP candidate.
More NBA news:
- Spurs vs. Thunder get ugly after De'Aaron Fox threw Chet Holmgren to the ground
- How Aday Mara's physical traits compare to Victor Wembanyama
- Why Tobias Harris was absent in the Spurs' season opener against the Thunder
- Victor Wembanyama has a goal to become the MVP in the 2026-27 season, but winning is the priority
- Stephon Castle's connection with Victor Wembanyama is still a big advantage for the Spurs