Victor Wembanyama sounds off on Team World’s defensive lapses

Victor Wembanyama made one thing clear at the 2026 NBA All-Star Games. He does not have an exhibition gear.

Most players treat All-Star weekend like a break. Wembanyama treated it like a game that mattered. Team World went 0-2 in round-robin play, and the San Antonio Spurs center was not exactly taking it in stride.

There was an edge to how he played both games, and it pushed the overall level of competition higher than anyone expected from a weekend that usually runs on cruise control.

And after the overtime loss to the young USA squad, a reporter asked Wembanyama about the final three-pointer that sealed it and whether competition gets to him sometimes. His answer said everything.

"Yeah. It was our second time allowing a three when we shouldn't have—of the game, really one quarter. I would've expected us to be smarter right there, so that was disappointing. But I think being honest with ourselves is good. And when it's a game we love—it's a game I personally cherish—so being competitive is the least I can do."