The San Antonio Spurs have advanced to the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, dispatching the Portland Trail Blazers with a decisive 114-95 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday. Victor Wembanyama once again anchored the effort, delivering a stat line of 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks. The 7-foot-4 phenom, who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors this season averaging 3.1 blocks per game, continues to redefine the modern big man’s impact—one that often transcends traditional box score metrics.
In the postgame glow of San Antonio’s series-clinching win—their first playoff series victory in years—De’Aaron Fox offered high praise for his new teammate. The guard, who spent seven and a half seasons with the Sacramento Kings before joining the Spurs, has guarded some of the league’s elite talents. Yet when asked about sharing the floor with Wembanyama, Fox drew a striking parallel that few saw coming.
Fox placed Wembanyama in elite company alongside Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, highlighting the rare “gravity” both players exert on the game.
“It’s like no one else. I mean, between probably him and Steph like, those are the only guys that you see that have the type of gravity that they have and it’s amazing to play with,” Fox said.
A Comparison Rooted in Court-Warping Influence
On paper, the pairing seems unlikely. Curry, listed at 6-foot-2, revolutionized offense through his limitless shooting range and off-ball movement, forcing defenses to bend their entire schemes around his presence. Wembanyama, by contrast, dominates defensively with his extraordinary length, timing, and instincts. Opponents hesitate to attack the rim or alter shots mid-air simply because he is on the court, creating the same kind of spatial distortion—but on the opposite end of the floor.
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Fox’s insight carries weight. Having faced Curry in the 2022-23 playoffs and the 2023-24 Play-In Tournament while with Sacramento, he understands firsthand how Curry’s gravity opens driving lanes, frees cutters, and reshapes offensive spacing for teammates. Now, playing alongside Wembanyama, Fox sees the defensive mirror image: a singular force that compels opponents to adjust their approach before the ball is even inbounded.
The endorsement underscores Wembanyama’s rapid ascent in just his second NBA season. While his scoring and rebounding draw attention, it is this intangible, game-warping presence—much like Curry’s on offense—that sets him apart. Defenses must account for him constantly, whether he is rotating for blocks, contesting shots from the perimeter, or simply lurking in the paint.
What It Means for Curry, Wembanyama, and the League
For Warriors fans, the comparison from a respected peer like Fox serves as a powerful affirmation of Curry’s enduring legacy. At a stage in his career where he continues to influence Golden State’s offense, Curry’s gravity remains a benchmark few have approached—until now, according to Fox’s assessment of the young Spurs star.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, earns validation for transforming the defensive side of the ball in ways reminiscent of Curry’s offensive revolution. Both players force opponents into uncomfortable adjustments simply by existing on the court. Curry stretches the floor horizontally with his shooting; Wembanyama collapses it vertically with his rim protection and versatility.
This parallel highlights a deeper truth in today’s NBA: the most impactful players don’t just produce numbers—they fundamentally alter how the game is played around them. Fox, now experiencing that dynamic from the same side as Wembanyama after years of battling elite competition, delivered one of the most thoughtful compliments of the young playoff season.
As the Spurs prepare for the Western Conference semifinals, Wembanyama’s two-way dominance and this growing narrative around his gravity add intrigue to San Antonio’s postseason run. For Stephen Curry and the Warriors, the message from across the conference is clear: a new standard of transcendent influence has emerged on the defensive end, echoing the one Curry has long set on offense.
Two players. Two vastly different skill sets and body types. One rare, undeniable ability to bend the game to their will. De’Aaron Fox’s observation may have been unexpected, but it rings undeniably true.