As promised, Wemby’s minutes on the rise

SALT LAKE CITY — Victor Wembanyama made headlines in Los Angeles by posting the NBA’s first 5x5 game in five years on Friday.

The Spurs’ star rookie had 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks in a 123-118 loss to the Lakers.

The box score number that pleased Wembanyama most might have been the 31 minutes he was allowed to play, on the second night of a back-to-back no less.

“I’m eager to play more and to have those minutes to help the team,” Wembanyama said. “Sometimes it does feel like I’m on the bench for a long time.”

Having also logged 31 minutes a night earlier at Sacramento, it marked the most combined playing time the 20-year-old Wembanyama has received in consecutive games since mid December.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich went into the All-Star break vowing to gradually increase Wembanyama’s minutes during the final stretch of the season.

So far, he has made good on his word.

“We’re not going to play him (Latrell) Sprewell minutes,” Popovich said, referring to the All-Star guard who averaged a league-high 43.1 minutes for a 1993-94 Golden State squad that featured Popovich as an assistant coach. “But he’s got to get up over 30. That will be the goal.”

That goal should be easy enough to reach.

Wembanyama technically played 30 minutes and 55 seconds against the Lakers, the fewest of any player to record a 5-by-5 game in league history.

Still, Wembanyama did not reach 30 minutes in any game from Dec. 22 through Jan. 26.

There will be a ramp-up as Wembanyama adjusts to more playing time, continuing with Sunday’s game at Utah. He does not think it will take him long to prepare his body for added exertion.

“My stamina is as good as the minutes I’m going to play,” Wembanyama said. “If tomorrow I play 44 minutes, I’ll be exhausted. But if I play 44 minutes five games in a row, I get used to it. As simple as that.”

Branham receives some kingly praise

Spurs guard Malaki Branham was honored to share the court with LeBron James on Friday in L.A. After all, they share the same alma mater.

Branham graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School in Akron, Ohio, in 2021, 18 years after James. Both played for the same coach, Dru Joyce.

“His name is all over the school there,” Branham said. “He’s a great player, but also a great person off the court.”

Branham scored 17 points off the bench for the Spurs, while James was his usual All-Star self with 30 points and nine assists.

Branham enjoyed his finest NBA highlight in the second half, when he completed a dunk with James swooping in.

“It’s just great to have a couple of alum guys in the NBA,” James said. “To see Malaki out here and making plays on the floor is always a proud moment for myself. Me and my group, we kind of set the standard, and guys like Malaki have kept it going.”

Branham took the praise from the NBA’s all-time leading scorer not quite in stride.

“He said HE’S proud of ME?” Branham said with a grin. “That’s big.”

Popovich savors time with ‘miracle’ LeBron

After Friday’s game, Popovich and James lingered on the court at Crypto.com Arena for a quick conversation.

Though neither has announced plans for next season, it is not out of the question that might have been the final game for the 39-year-old James to play against the 75-year-old Popovich’s team.

If so, Popovich made sure to savor the moment.

“I really enjoyed watching him,” Popovich said. “You look at his age and his conditioning and what he does, he’s a miracle. He really is.”

Earlier in the week, James mused about his retirement, whenever it comes, saying he didn’t know if he wanted a farewell tour like Lakers Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant or to disappear without a trace like Spurs great Tim Duncan.

The way Popovich sees it, James should enjoy whatever send-off he sees fit.

“He deserves to do exactly what he wants to do because he’s been spectacular for so long,” Popovich said. “He’s done it with class, with people putting him under a microscope for this, that or the other. He owes nobody anything as far as how he should do something. What pleases his family is really what’s important.”