"Not Enough": Shaquille O'Neal Calls Out Victor Wembanyama For Spurs' Losses Against OKC

Victor Wembanyama opened the Western Conference Finals with one of the greatest performances of his young career.

The Spurs star exploded for 41 points and 24 rebounds in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, powering San Antonio to a statement win. But since then, the series has completely shifted in OKC’s favor.

Oklahoma City responded by winning Games 2 and 3, taking a 2-1 series lead while limiting Wembanyama’s overall impact compared to his historic opener.

After the back-to-back losses, Shaquille O’Neal publicly challenged Wembanyama to become more dominant offensively and use his physical advantages more aggressively.

Wembanyama’s individual numbers were still respectable.

In Game 2, he finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds during a 122-113 loss. Then in Game 3, he scored 26 points but grabbed only four rebounds as OKC secured a 123-108 victory.

However, Shaq made it clear that the raw scoring totals were not enough for a player with Wembanyama’s size and talent.

O’Neal specifically criticized Wembanyama’s positioning and felt the Spurs star was settling too often instead of overwhelming smaller defenders inside the paint.

Shaq argued that Wembanyama’s physical tools should force Oklahoma City’s defense into panic mode far more consistently.

According to O’Neal, San Antonio’s path back into the series depends on Wembanyama becoming a more physically dominant offensive force.

"I need Wemby to do more. Game 1, he had 41 [points], 24 [rebounds], they won. Game 2 [and 3], 21 and 26, it's not enough," O'Neal said. "I can say that as Lord Supreme of all big men."

Afterward, O'Neal drew on his own experience of putting up impressive numbers while still losing.

"I remember getting swept averaging 34, 35, and my father, rest in peace, said 'it's not enough,'" he added.

"I heard him say he's not making his teammates better, it's because he's not dominating the game," O'Neal continued. "When Alex Caruso is on you, I do not want to see you turn around. He has to be aggressive so they can panic with him and he can get other guys easy shots."

Interestingly, Wembanyama himself admitted after Game 3 that he has not done enough to elevate the Spurs offensively.

However, his focus leaned more toward improving his playmaking and helping teammates succeed rather than simply scoring more points.

Wembanyama Believes He Must Elevate Spurs Offense

Game 3 started perfectly for San Antonio.

The Spurs raced out to a 15-0 lead and looked fully in control early. But once Wembanyama went to the bench, Oklahoma City immediately fought its way back into the game and never allowed San Antonio to regain full control.

Even after Wembanyama returned, the Spurs struggled to slow OKC’s momentum.

The Thunder bench completely changed the game, led by Jared McCain’s 24 points, Jaylin Williams’ 18, and Alex Caruso’s 15-point spark off the bench.

Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 76-23 in Game 3, continuing one of the biggest trends of the series.

The Thunder’s depth, athleticism, and energy have consistently overwhelmed the Spurs outside of Wembanyama’s individual brilliance.

If you ask Wembanyama, though, the bigger issue is his inability to consistently elevate the players around him.

Following the Game 3 loss, the Spurs star admitted he needs to become a better offensive connector for the team.

"I feel like I'm having trouble making my teammates better right now," Wemby said during the postgame press conference. "My shooting splits aren't terrible, I need to be more of a team player."

Playmaking has never been the strongest part of Wembanyama’s offensive profile.

Despite his all-around skill set, he has never averaged more than four assists per game in a season and has only recorded three career games with double-digit assists.

However, one could argue that San Antonio does not necessarily need Wembanyama to become a traditional playmaker in order to win this series.

The Spurs already have guards and perimeter creators capable of handling offensive initiation. What they need most is for Wembanyama to consistently bend the defense with his size and scoring pressure.

As Shaq pointed out, Wembanyama’s biggest advantage remains his ability to physically overwhelm smaller defenders near the basket.

If he becomes more aggressive in the paint, Oklahoma City may eventually be forced to collapse defensively and send additional help.

That is where Wembanyama’s playmaking could naturally open up.

Once the defense begins collapsing around him, the Spurs star would have cleaner passing lanes and easier opportunities to find open shooters around the perimeter.