Victor Wembanyama is about to experience something he has never had before: A home playoff game. After the San Antonio Spurs clinched first-round home-court advantage with a dominant 123-98 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, the 7’4″ Frenchman made clear he already knows exactly who will be there to greet him, and he cannot wait.
Victor Wembanyama Looks Forward to Frost Bank Center Rocking in Playoff Debut
When asked about what the atmosphere at Frost Bank Center might look like come playoff time, Wembanyama did not hesitate. “I can imagine the Baseline Bums and the Jackals being there for sure,” he said. “I can also see maybe some French people because the few times they’ve been there they’ve really brought that energy in connecting with the Jackals. I can only imagine, but I’m super excited. I’m sure they’re going to exceed my expectations.”
The Baseline Bums are a legacy supporters group that has been part of the Spurs franchise for over 50 years, with established season-ticket seats in Section 101 rooted in decades of tradition.
The Jackals are a newer addition, launched this season with Wembanyama’s direct backing. The group draws inspiration from the soccer-style supporter culture he grew up around in France, where coordinated chanting throughout matches is a way of life.
More than 80 members now pack Section 114 at the Frost Bank Center, led by a group of “capos” who keep the chants going from tipoff to the final buzzer.
Immediately after Wednesday’s win, the Spurs announced that first-round playoff tickets would go on sale to the public via Ticketmaster on April 2. It will mark the franchise’s first home playoff game since April 25, 2019.
Coach Mitch Johnson echoed Wembanyama’s anticipation. “I would expect it to be loud with a lot of excitement, enthusiasm,” he said. “But it’s still a little bit away, so hopefully we can continue to get better and make some improvements in a lot of areas.”
On the court on Wednesday, Wembanyama gave the crowd every reason to show up loud. He finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocks, his fifth-plus block game in three consecutive outings, tying a career high.
With this, the San Antonio cruised past an injury-depleted Memphis side that was without Ja Morant, Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke, all ruled out for the season. Guard Stephon Castle chipped in 15 points and nine assists, while Devin Vassell added 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Wednesday’s result pushed the Spurs to 55-18. They’re now the first team to reach 55 wins in a season after recording fewer than 35 the year prior, since the 2007-08 Boston Celtics. At the time, they had just added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. San Antonio finished last season at 34-48 and is now an NBA-best 23-2 since the start of February.
The victory also pulled them within two games of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference, after Boston ended Oklahoma City’s 12-game winning streak earlier the same night. With the Spurs having gone 4-1 against the Thunder this season, the race for the West’s top seed remains very much alive heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
