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“Absolutely crapping their pants”: Zach Lowe Sees Warriors, Lakers, Growing Uneasy amid Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Steep Ascension

Most NBA insiders initially projected Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to win around 42 to 44 games this season. In the unforgiving Western Conference, such a record typically meant fighting for a play-in tournament spot rather than a comfortable playoff berth.

However, just a week into the season, analyst Zach Lowe highlighted how experts might have underrated Wemby and the Spurs. On his podcast this Monday, Lowe shared his perspective with fellow analyst Kirk Goldsberry, saying:

“Every other team—from Golden State down to the Lakers and Grizzlies—has got to be absolutely crapping their pants because the Spurs are coming for a top 6 seed, at least a fight for it. And the argument for that, as it was before the season, is that this dude is so goddamn good.”

Like many analysts before the season, Lowe had initially predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets to battle for the top seed in the Western Conference. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and LA Clippers were viewed as favorites to earn outright playoff spots, while the Lakers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Spurs were expected to slug it out for play-in tournament positions.

### A Blistering Start for Wembanyama and the Spurs

San Antonio’s projection began to improve dramatically following Victor Wembanyama’s electric start to the season. The Spurs are off to a perfect 4-0 record, fueled by the French phenom’s spectacular play. Wembanyama is currently averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

According to Lowe, Wembanyama has been so “goddamn good” that he effectively covers many of the Spurs’ usual loopholes, elevating the entire team’s performance.

### Spurs Sit Atop the Western Conference

The Spurs remained unbeaten after a dominant 121-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Wembanyama contributed 24 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, pushing San Antonio to their fourth consecutive win.

With this start, San Antonio now sits at the top of the Western Conference with a flawless 4-0 record. Right behind them, the Oklahoma City Thunder hold second place with a 3-0 mark, engaged in a seesaw battle with the Dallas Mavericks.

Rounding out the top six are the Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and LA Clippers, all holding identical 2-1 records. On the other hand, the Houston Rockets have struggled early with their jumbo roster, sitting at 1-2—the second-worst record in the conference so far.

### Looking Ahead

While the season is still young and anything can happen, Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs look poised to challenge for at least a guaranteed playoff spot in 2026. Their hot start and Wembanyama’s unique talent have already shifted expectations and added excitement for Spurs fans and NBA watchers alike.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-absolutely-crapping-pants-zach-lowe-sees-warriors-lakers-growing-uneasy-amid-victor-wembanyama-s-spurs-steep-ascension

“Absolutely crapping their pants”: Zach Lowe Sees Warriors, Lakers, Growing Uneasy amid Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Steep Ascension

Most NBA insiders projected Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to win around 42-44 games this season. In the unforgiving Western Conference, that meant fighting for a play-in tournament spot. However, just a week into the games, analyst Zach Lowe highlighted how experts might have underrated Wemby and the Spurs.

On his podcast on Monday, Lowe shared his thoughts with fellow analyst Kirk Goldsberry about the Wembanyama-led team:
“Every other team, from Golden State down to the Lakers, Grizzlies, has got to be absolutely crapping their pants because the Spurs are coming for a top 6 seed, at least a fight for it. And the argument for that, as it was before the season, is that this dude is so goddamn good.”

Like most analysts before the season started, Lowe had predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets to battle for the top seed in the West. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and LA Clippers were considered favorites to earn outright playoff spots. Meanwhile, the Lakers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Spurs were expected to slug it out for the play-in tournament spots.

The projection around the Spurs significantly improved following Victor Wembanyama’s blistering start to the season. San Antonio is off to a perfect 4-0 start, fueled by the French phenom’s stunning play. Wembanyama is currently averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

According to Lowe, the 7-foot-5 center has been so “goddamn good” that Wembanyama effectively covers many of the Spurs’ weaknesses and loopholes.

### Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Sit Atop the Western Conference

The San Antonio Spurs remained unbeaten on Monday after a convincing 121-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Wembanyama contributed 24 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists, pushing the Spurs to their fourth straight win.

With a flawless 4-0 record, San Antonio now sits atop the Western Conference standings. The Oklahoma City Thunder, engaged in a seesaw battle with the Dallas Mavericks, hold second place with a 3-0 mark. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and LA Clippers round out the top six, each sporting identical 2-1 records.

One of the most surprising developments early in the season has been the Houston Rockets’ initial struggles with their jumbo roster. They currently own a 1-2 record, which is the second-worst in the conference.

While the season is still in its early stages and anything can happen, Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs look poised to challenge for at least a guaranteed spot in the 2026 playoffs. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if San Antonio can continue this promising run.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-absolutely-crapping-pants-zach-lowe-sees-warriors-lakers-growing-uneasy-amid-victor-wembanyama-s-spurs-steep-ascension

“Absolutely crapping their pants”: Zach Lowe Sees Warriors, Lakers, Growing Uneasy amid Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Steep Ascension

Most NBA insiders projected Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to win around 42-44 games this season. In the unforgiving Western Conference, that meant fighting for a play-in tournament spot.

However, a week into the games, analyst Zach Lowe highlighted how experts might have underrated Wembanyama and the Spurs. On his podcast on Monday, Lowe told guest and fellow analyst Kirk Goldsberry what he thought of the Wembanyama-led team:

“Every other team, from Golden State down to the Lakers, Grizzlies, has got to be absolutely crapping their pants because the Spurs are coming for a top 6 seed, at least a fight for it. And the argument for that, as it was before the season, is that this dude is so goddamn good.”

Like most analysts before the season started, Lowe predicted the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets to battle for the top seed in the West. The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and LA Clippers were favorites to earn outright playoff spots. Meanwhile, the Lakers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Spurs were expected to slug it out for play-in tournament spots.

The projection around the Spurs improved following Victor Wembanyama’s blistering start to the season. San Antonio is off to a perfect 4-0 slate, fueled by the Frenchman’s stunning play. Wembanyama is currently averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.0 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

According to Lowe, the 7-foot-5 center has been so “goddamn good” that Wembanyama covers many of the Spurs’ weaknesses, making the team a formidable contender in the Western Conference.

### Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs Sit Atop Western Conference

The San Antonio Spurs remained unbeaten on Monday after dominating the Toronto Raptors 121-103. Victor Wembanyama’s 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists pushed the Spurs to their fourth straight win. With this victory, San Antonio now sits atop the Western Conference with a perfect 4-0 record.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, engaged in a seesaw battle with the Dallas Mavericks, hold second place with a 3-0 record. As of press time, the Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and LA Clippers round out the top 6, each with identical 2-1 records.

One of the most surprising developments has been the Houston Rockets’ initial struggles with their jumbo roster. They currently own a 1-2 record, ranking as the second-worst in the Western Conference.

The season is still in its early stages, so much can still change. However, Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs look ready to challenge for at least a guaranteed spot in the 2026 playoffs.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-absolutely-crapping-pants-zach-lowe-sees-warriors-lakers-growing-uneasy-amid-victor-wembanyama-s-spurs-steep-ascension

Lakers’ Austin Reaves drops the mic with perfect reaction to 51-point stunner

The Los Angeles Lakers were coming off a huge win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, highlighted by Luka Doncic’s stellar start to the season. Doncic followed up his 43-point effort on opening night with a 49-point masterpiece in a 128-110 victory. However, during that contest, Doncic suffered multiple injuries that will sideline him for at least a week, putting the already shorthanded Lakers in an even tougher position.

But on Sunday night, Austin Reaves took it upon himself to carry the Lakers as he inched closer to superstardom. Even though the Lakers were missing both Doncic and LeBron James, with the latter still recovering from nerve problems in his back, Reaves ensured that the Purple and Gold stayed on the winning track.

Reaves put up a bonkers career-high 51 points in a 127-120 win over division rival Sacramento Kings. He left Sacramento’s defense helpless at every turn, showcasing his emergence as a full-blown superstar. This performance is the latest piece of evidence pointing toward that fact.

While the Kings may not be the toughest opposition, going on the road and scoring 51 points—dismantling defenders like Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook—is a mark of a player who has truly taken the leap. And what better way for the Lakers to cap off Reaves’ career night than with a huge win.

“All that matters is that we won,” Reaves said with a huge smile during his postgame interview with Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet. “We got another tough one tomorrow night. Quick turnaround. We’ll be right back at it.” (Fast forward to 1:20.)

Reaves became just the fifth player in a Lakers uniform to score over 50 points since the turn of the century, joining legends LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Anthony Davis—a feat he doesn’t take lightly.

“I don’t deserve all that. I grew up watching all those guys. I ain’t got no words,” Reaves added humbly.

### Austin Reaves Completes Leap to Superstardom for the Lakers

Reaves began his career as a Laker back in Summer League, impressing coaches with his hustle and ability to be a “glue guy” on offense. But he has since blossomed into a major force all on his own. If he continues this kind of incredible play, he might be in line for his first All-Star season.

Of course, it will be impossible for him to score 50 points every night. But the Lakers will need him to continue stepping up in a similar fashion as they await the return of both Doncic and James.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-austin-reaves-drops-the-mic-with-perfect-reaction-to-51-point-stunner