Spurs Problems Exposed in Victor Wembanyama Absence

The San Antonio Spurs struggled to secure rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.

Mar 23, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles the / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs bested the Phoenix Suns for the third time this season on Monday night, despite not playing Victor Wembanyama. The rookie phenom missed the game with an ankle injury, and Zach Collins played for 30 minutes for the first time in nine games.

Collins is a solid rebounder, averaging 5.3 this season and 5.7 per 36 minutes, but he is not 7-4 with an eight-foot wingspan. Wembanyama is averaging 10.4 rebounds per game and 12.9 per 36 minutes. He is a big reason why the Spurs are in line with the league average of 43.5 rebounds per game.

Mar 25, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins (23) blocks out / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Against the Suns on Monday, Collins contributed five rebounds, which was overshadowed by 18 from Jeremy Sochan. After the game, he admitted that rebounding is especially challenging for the team when Wembanyama doesn't play.

"I think for us, again, it’s physicality, it’s everyone taking on the challenge and then we have to rebound when he’s not there," said Collins. "That’s another thing, too, that he [Wembanyama] can just grab rebounds that nobody else can grab so that’s big for us.”

The Spurs did post 40 rebounds compared to Phoenix's 47, but with an All-NBA level rebounder missing the game, that is to be expected from the Spurs. Jusuf Nurkic is the league's heaviest player, so his physicality down low went unanswered by the Spurs, who combined for only five offensive rebounds. Two of those came from Collins, two came from Sochan.

As Wembanyama returns to the lineup, expect his length to factor into the Spurs' rebounding plans and for the Silver and Black to get more second-chance points.