Wembanyama's grit impresses Gregg Popovich: 'He doesn't cry and complain' / News - Basketnews.com

Gregg Popovich praises Victor Wembanyama's resilience amidst physical defense against him and doesn't mind Wemby getting technical fouls on rare occasions.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs handed Western Conference-leading Denver a potentially damaging loss, returning from a 23-point deficit to defeat the Nuggets 121-120.

Player of the Game EFF 29 Victor Wembanyama Points 34 Accuracy 12-27 Rebounds 12 Assists 5

The standout performer of the night was Victor Wembanyama, who wreaked havoc on the court with 34 points and 12 rebounds for the short-handed Spurs, who currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Aaron Gordon employed physical defense tactics against Wembanyama, even knocking the 7-foot-3 rookie to the court prior to an inbounds play in the first half. No foul was called on the play. A visibly frustrated Wembanyama later received his second technical foul of the season.

"I think that's his first real technical, the other one was throwing the ball or whatever," coach Gregg Popovich reflected on the incident. "You get frustrated when you getting beat up every night. But he doesn't cry, he doesn't complain. Once a year, if he wants to do that, that's fine. He probably should've done that a few more times."

Wembanyama's teammate, Sandro Mamukelashvili, revealed that witnessing the young star receive the technical foul served as a motivation for the Spurs.

"You know what motivated me, when he fell on the floor and Gordon was looking at him," Mamukelashvili said. "If I was on the court, I'd get a tech. I'm telling you right now. I was happy I was sitting on the bench, and I didn't go on the court because that's $25,000 that I don't have."

Wemby's first technical foul of the season came in mid-November after slamming the ball onto the court in frustration.

With Friday's win, the Spurs (21-60) avoided matching the franchise's worst record (20-62 in 1997).

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