San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) stretches before the Spurs’ first home game of the season against the Brooklyn Nets at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
MILWAUKEE — One hour into the nearly three-hour recent fundraising gala for Spurs center Bismack Biyombo’s nonprofit foundation, one of the most prominent guests headed toward the exit around 8:15 p.m. after saying goodbye to the host.
It wasn’t that Victor Wembanyama wasn’t having a good time. Quite the opposite. But the Spurs franchise player had something important to do at home.
Article continues below this ad
Wembanyama typically is in bed by 9:30 p.m. or so when possible during the season. It’s all part of a carefully constructed recovery plan the 22-year-old Frenchman practices religiously.
“Over the couple of years I’ve been with this organization, I’ve learned to trust the staff,” he said. “I’m talking about the medical staff and treatment, all the data and the load management, etcetera. And my trust is hard earned, but they have it.”
With the Spurs in the midst of playing six of seven games on the road, including the final back-to-back of the season April 1-2 at the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State, and the playoffs on the horizon, Wembanyama and the Spurs are closely following the advice they get from the team’s medical, performance and sports science department headed by Xavi Schelling.
Article continues below this ad
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) stretches out on the court before an NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Frost Bank Center on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
But, really, the Spurs have been doing that all season long, a factor in their sterling 23-5 mark in back-to-backs, including going 11-3 in second games. They entered Saturday’s game against the Bucks with a 26-11 road mark, the league’s second best behind Oklahoma City, after winning five in a row away from the Frost Bank Center.
“We definitely have people, resources that educate (the players) on all those habits and professional processes to have in their routines,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “Routine is something that’s very important, to be able to have a consistent rhythm with your preparation and recovery after the game. With our schedule, if you don’t have a routine, it’s really hard to get through it. So we are fortunate to have a village that helps with that.”
Spurs forward Devin Vassell said that “village” has been a “huge” factor in the team’s success this season. They came into the Milwaukee game with a 55-18 overall mark and just 2.5 games behind the Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference.
Article continues below this ad
“Everybody’s just kind of been locked in, focusing on their body, making sure they’re getting the right rest,” Vassell said. “It’s super important, especially right now being, I don’t know how many games in, 70-something. The biggest thing is health and recovery.”
One of the most important parts of post-game recovery is following Wembanyama’s lead in embracing the power of restorative sleep.
“I think sleep is the biggest one,” forward Julian Champagnie said of the habits that lead to a quick recovery between games.
“The way the schedule is, your sleep is all messed up. If I don’t sleep when I know I’m supposed to sleep, my whole day is just all in disarray. So I try and get as much sleep as I can. Naps on the plane. And at the hotel (on the road), I go to bed right away.”
Article continues below this ad
A fourth-year pro, Champagnie remembers how difficult it was for him after going through the first back-to-back of his career.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, second from right, and forward Julian Champagnie, left, seen here celebrating a play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in San Antonio, Saturday, March 21, 2026, are two big believes in getting as much sleep as possible during the grueling 82-game regular season. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay/Associated Press
“I couldn’t even move,” he said. “But you get used to it after a while. You tell yourself it’s part of the job. But I figured it out – sleep.”
Ideally, Champagnie aims for eight hours of shut eye a night and a two-hour, mid-day nap.
Article continues below this ad
“I’m sleeping just about half the day, honestly,” he said. “And there are days when we’re on the road and I have nothing to do, I’ll sleep for four hours mid-day.”
With the Spurs’ fast-paced, frenetic style of play, it’s imperative the players get rest between games, stay hydrated and maintain their conditioning throughout the season.
“We want them to play fast offensively,” Johnson said. “We want them to touch the paint. We want the ball to move in half court. We want to crash the boards. We demand they sprint back in defense. We demand they guard. We demand they rotate. We demand they defensive rebound. We don’t really have guys stand in the corner (and rest) too often. We don’t really have guys that are able to point and switch and conserve energy at times. And so it is a real thing, understanding the distance we cover and the intensity and speed we demand.
“And our guys have done a great job of upping their fitness level and committing to the pace. And our medical and performance staffs have done a great job preparing them.”
Article continues below this ad
But not everyone is able to get as much rest as Wembanyama and Champagnie. Center Luke Kornet, for instance, has family obligations that sometimes interfere with his ability to get a good seven hours of sleep.
“I have young kids and I can’t really sleep in the way I used to, so I really have to prioritize that,” he said. “And then you definitely feel the effects of it if you have like a bad night, and, honestly, it can be like several days of work to try to get that back under control. The season is pretty chaotic, so you got to kind of piece it together when you can.”
No matter what the challenge is when it comes to keeping players fit, the medical staff stands ready to meet it, Johnson said.
“The medical staff we have in place has been here for quite some time, so I’m fortunate to be able to use a relationship with them that I’ve had in a few different ways or levels just because of how my position has changed over the years,” Johnson said. “They play such an integral part in keeping the team healthy, whether that’s through player fitness, prevention of injury or what the outer world is usually more motivated to know about, (rehab) from current injuries.”
Article continues below this ad
San Antonio Spurs assistant coaches Scott King and Corliss Williamson, head coach Mitch Johnson, associate head coach Sean Sweeney and head athletic trainer Will Sevening make notes and watch the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. The Spurs defeated the Nets, 118-107.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News
Johnson said it helps that the coaching staff and players understand player health is “always the priority” and that they all work well with Schelling and his staff.
“Xavi and I communicate quite a bit and he has the full trust of myself and the organization and full empowerment to make sure he shares his opinions,” Johnson said. “We collaborate in everything we do on every level, and that includes (general manager) Brian (Wright) and his side as well.”
Article continues below this ad
And it helps everyone that Wembanyama sets a great example by being so disciplined when it comes to taking care of his body.
“For someone of his age, he is so intentional on the variety of ways that he tries to improve as a player and a person,” Johnson said. “It’s really something I’ve never witnessed or experienced in my time.”