Spurs mull bringing Victor Wembanyama off bench in Cup final - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Victor Wembanyama played limited minutes off the bench in San Antonio's win over Oklahoma City in the semifinals of the Emirates NBA Cup on Saturday, and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the team might employ a similar approach in Tuesday's championship game against the New York Knicks.

«It's going to be a mix of different opinions,» Wembanyama said Monday. «But I'm ready. Even I will have my own opinion [about what to do]. It will also be based on my thoughts and the thoughts of the staff. I just said a bunch of nothing. But basically, we're going to discuss it.»

Wembanyama came off the bench Saturday for the first time in his career after missing 12 games because of a left calf strain. He played 21 minutes against the Thunder, racking up 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, when the rest of his teammates combined for 18 points.

Wembanyama didn't check into the game until the start of the second quarter, when Oklahoma City led by 11 points. Wembanyama had three rebounds, a tip-in layup and an assist on Dylan Harper's 3-pointer in his first three possessions. The Spurs' center went 2-of-3 from the floor in the second quarter for five points as San Antonio cut the Thunder's lead to three points at halftime.

«I know Vic wanted to get out there and play more, but we're focused on his long-term [health],» Spurs guard Devin Vassell said. «I trust in Mitch 100 percent. They had the perfect plan. I know they talked about it over and over, and we executed it. As soon as Vic came in, he had the impact that we needed.»

A similar strategy could unfold Tuesday against the Knicks.

«It'll be something that Victor and I will continue to talk through,» Johnson said. «It's hard. He wants to play. He wants to start. He