Shaquille O’Neal Calls Out Victor Wembanyama Over Inconsistent Conference Finals Stretch

Shaquille O’Neal and Victor Wembanyama (Photo by Imagn Images)

Shaquille O’Neal Calls Out Victor Wembanyama Over Inconsistent Conference Finals Stretch

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Afshan Khan | Last updated May 24, 2026 4:11 PM ET

Victor Wembanyama made history in Game 1 of the conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing his talent with an incredible 41 points and 24 rebounds. This performance led the San Antonio Spurs to a nail-biting 122-115 double-overtime victory, making him the youngest player ever to achieve a 40-20 game in NBA playoff history.

However, the excitement quickly turned to concern as his production dipped in the following games. In Game 2, he managed just 21 points and 17 rebounds, and in Game 3, he scored 26 points but only grabbed four rebounds.

This drop-off raised eyebrows around the league, leading to critiques from notable figures. On a recent episode of Inside the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back, urging Wemby to elevate his game. Shaq commented, “Imma need Wemby to do more. Game 1 he had 41/24, they won. Game 2 21/26. It’s not enough. I can say that as Lord Supreme of all big men…. He has to do more. I heard him say he’s not making his teammates better, It’s because he’s not dominating the game! When Alex Caruso is on you, I don’t want to see a turnaround.”

Shaq calls out Wemby for not doing enough in the Conference Finals

“Imma need Wemby to do more. Game 1 he had 41/24, they won. Game 2 21/26. It’s not enough. I can say that as Lord Supreme of all big men…. He has to do more. I heard him say he’s not making his teammates… https://t.co/UP4mUqaYd9 pic.twitter.com/Xg8LrJsofw
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) May 24, 2026

Shaq pointed out that even a monster performance like Game 1 doesn’t cut it if it’s followed by silent scoring nights. In Game 2, the Thunder turned up the heat, adopting a more aggressive strategy against Wembanyama. Coach Mark Daigneault assigned Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams to shadow Wembanyama closely, and this adjustment clearly unsettled him, negatively impacting his performance on the court.

Wembanyama Breaks Silence as Thunder Take Control of Conference Finals

The Thunder are riding high with back-to-back wins in Games 2 and 3, now holding a 2-1 lead. In a recent post-game interview, Spurs’ star Wembanyama candidly addressed his performance and the need for improvement.

Wembanyama stated, “I feel like I have trouble making my teammates better right now. That’s what I should do better. My shooting splits aren’t terrible. I need to be more of a team player.”

Wemby on the attention he's getting from OKC's defense:

"I feel like I have trouble making my teammates better right now … I need to be more of a team player."pic.twitter.com/PJfUZFQvzI
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 23, 2026

Despite decent shooting splits, Wemby recognizes the importance of becoming a more team-oriented player. He emphasized the need to facilitate better, rebound effectively, and put the defense in tough spots to create open shots for his teammates. Will Wemby’s plan turn the tide in Game 4? Well, only time will tell. Game 4 is scheduled to tip off at 8 PM EDT on 24th May at Frost Bank Center.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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