San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama continues to be dazzling as his fourth NBA season progresses.
Asked to explain a 40-point, 11-rebound, nine-block effort that fueled the Spurs’ ninth straight victory — 122-96 in Phoenix on Monday — Wembanyama cited his improvement in intangibles, namely his mental game.
“It’s mostly decision-making, really, because I’m not doing anything that I was not able to do, physically able to do, 12 months ago,” said Wembanyama, who is averaging 30.1 points and 11.9 rebounds a game this season.
The skidding Chicago Bulls hope to be a barrier for Wembanyama and the Spurs when the teams meet in Chicago on Wednesday night.
Losers of seven straight games amid a scheduling gauntlet that’s presented contenders from both conferences, the rebuilding Bulls are coming off only their third single-digit defeat during the slide.
Chicago lost 127-121 to visiting Philadelphia on Sunday after rallying to within a one-possession deficit with less than two minutes remaining.
“I thought we competed a lot better than we have the last few games,” Bulls guard Josh Giddey said.
Giddey and Matas Buzelis paced Chicago with 19 points each, and rookie Caleb Wilson added 18. Every Bulls starter scored in double figures, including Isaac Okoro (12), who emerged from his usual reserve role with Norman Powell out because of back spasms and right shoulder inflammation.
Bulls coach Tiago Splitter praised the team’s ball movement, calling it a catalyst to being competitive against the 76ers.
“Overall, I think we are making quicker decisions. Not just going in iso situations, way less this game, way less,” Splitter said. “We shared the ball, moved the ball side to side, got 30 assists. Of course, Josh (with 15) was a big part of it. He was driving downhill, getting teammates (involved), and that’s how we see this game.
“We’ve got to touch the paint (on offense) and find options out there. I think we did a lot of good things offensively and defensively, played the way we wanted to play, executed the things we want to do on offense and defense. But it wasn’t enough (against) a very good team.”
Now, here comes another. The winning streak of the reigning Western Conference champion Spurs includes three victories on the road to open a four-game trip.
Wembanyama delivered his big night against Phoenix in a mere 25 minutes on 15-for-19 shooting from the field, and four Spurs followed in double figures in scoring.
Dylan Harper (17 points) and De’Aaron Fox (15) were among them, along with Julian Champagnie, who added 11 as a replacement for Devin Vassell (left adductor tightness).
Whatever the combination, the Spurs have continued pushing the right buttons in the longest winning streak in the league this season.
“They’ve shown some maturity these last few games in terms of just the disposition they’re playing with,” coach Mitch Johnson said.
San Antonio first-year assistant coach Billy Donovan will return to Chicago after serving as the Bulls’ head coach from 2020-21 through 2025-26. Donovan finished 30 games under .500 in his six seasons with the team.
The Bulls have won seven of the past 10 meetings with the Spurs, including four of five at the United Center, but San Antonio enters on a two-game series winning streak.
Wembanyama posted a 41-point, 16-rebound double-double in the Spurs’ 129-114 home win over Chicago last March 30.
