Victor Wembanyama: 'I want to play, I'm frustrated' / News - Basketnews.com

Wembanyama said he understood the coaching staff's decision to preserve his minutes but had to fight the urge mid-game to compete. He complimented Ja Morant, but said every NBA team has a player that wreak havoc on the court.

Credit: Steph Chambers/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Steph Chambers/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

A week before the start of 2024, San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama injured his foot during a warmup. The injury is still being managed and has caused some internal struggle for the young Frenchman.

Victor Wembanyama

MIN:29.41PTS:18.9 (51.71%)REB:10.17As:2.9ST:1.17BL:3.14TO:3.17GM:29ProfileNBA2023/2024

After yet another, the team's 28th, loss this season, this time against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, Wembanyama opened up about wanting to be on the court more despite his recent injury.

"In the moment, of course, I want to play, I'm frustrated," he said post-game. "The wise option is to listen to the staff even though it's hard and frustrating."

"During the game, I thought to the coach, 'I've been 25 minutes over here, just two more.' Looking back, it's an understandable point of view, but at the moment, it's hard," Wembanyama explained.

Wemby instantly showed his skills in the game, blocking Memphis' Ja Morant in the first minute and then getting his second block against Jaren Jackson Jr. less than a minute later. However, Morant got his revenge later in the game, dunking over Wembanyama in the fourth quarter.

"A good player. He's very small, so it's difficult to catch him," Wembanyama said about Morant. "Very fast. It's just another great player I see every night. In the NBA, everyone has a franchise player that's causing problems."

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