NBA Playoffs: Victor Wembanyama says he ‘must be extra of a group participant’ as San Antonio Spurs undergo back-to-back defeats to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder

Victor Wembanyama mentioned he “must be more of a team player” after the San Antonio Spurs suffered a 123-108 defeat to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Friday night time, to go 2-1 down within the Western Convention Finals.

The Spurs have now suffered back-to-back defeats within the seven-game sequence, regardless of starting their postseason marketing campaign with an exhilarating double-time victory towards Oklahoma.

Wembanyama starred throughout that match, scoring a whopping 40 factors, and the 22-year-old continued his nice type on Friday, amassing a team-high rating of 26 factors in a 39-minute spell on the courtroom.

It was the primary time since Tim Duncan in 2007 {that a} Spurs participant has made 20 factors or extra in three consecutive matches. However, regardless of his brilliance, Thunder got here from behind to grab a 15-point lead on the Frost Financial institution Heart.

“It’s my first playoffs. It was the first playoffs for many of us,” Wembanyama mentioned. “Of course, there were going to be hard trials. It is to be expected. But now, we’re going to see what we’re made of.”

Regardless of making eight baskets through the match, Wembanyama was important of his personal efficiency, saying he let his team-mates down.

“I have trouble making my team-mates better right now,” Wembanyama mentioned. “I should do better. My shooting splits aren’t terrible. I need to be more of a team player.”

Requested what he meant by that, Wembanyama replied: “Facilitate better, rebound the ball better.

“Push their protection a bit bit extra, to struggle additional and see how a lot they’re prepared to assist off of my team-mates and feed them.

“I feel like each and every one of us has got to be better.

“As a group, as an organisation, there’s lots of new experiences. We’re simply going to have to seek out the solutions.”

Spurs’ lack of depth off the bench exposed once again

The Spurs surged to a 15-0 lead contained in the opening three minutes of the match, the best lead a group has taken at the beginning of a NBA Playoffs match since 1997.

However the Thunder bounced again, scoring 76 factors off the bench, with Jaylin Williams coming onto the courtroom to make two long-range baskets and a free throw to push the Spurs to inside 5 factors of the hosts on the finish of the primary quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout for Oklahoma Metropolis, amassing 26 factors and 12 assists, as Jared McCain additionally starred with 24 factors of his personal to go away the Spurs surprised.

The Spurs tapered off because the match progressed, and questions are being requested about Mitch Johnson’s facet’s depth off the bench.

Oklahoma’s bench outscored San Antonio’s by 107-28 within the first two video games.

“I feel like each and every one of us has got to be better,” Wembanyama mentioned when requested in regards to the Spurs’ points with rotation.

“It’s just that as a team, as an organisation, there’s a lot of new experiences. We’re just going to have to find the answers.

“In fact, there are going to be laborious trials. That is to be anticipated. However now, we’ll see what we’re made from.”

Oklahoma’s victory came as Josh Hart scored a career-high 26 points to lead the New York Knicks to victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, with the Knicks now needing only two more victories to secure their spot in their first NBA Finals series since 1999.

The victors of the Western Conference Finals will go on to face either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.

Watch the NBA Playoffs live on Sky Sports, with the Spurs’ fourth match against the Thunder set to take place live on Sky Sports Main Event at 12.30am on Monday. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports activities or stream with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime