SAN ANTONIO — De’Aaron Fox was taken by surprise when he arrived at Spurs practice to find teammates Keldon Johnson and Victor Wembanyama with freshly shaved heads. After a disappointing 119-98 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the duo decided to take a humorous approach to cope with the loss by shaving their heads bald.
“Bad things happen, I guess, when we lose to OKC,” Fox remarked. “We landed, and they got in Vic’s car and started shaving their heads.”
Johnson, never one to shy from a spotlight, shared that his transformation was partly inspired by the bald looks of his friends. “I told all my teammates I was going to bald my head,” he said, explaining that he had been eager for the chance to go bald following a televised game.
After the loss to the Thunder, Johnson and Wembanyama saw it as the perfect time for a fresh start. The Spurs, who had a promising streak earlier in the season by defeating the Thunder three times within a 12-day frame, saw their performance dip recently with a 4-6 record following their Christmas victory. In light of the recent struggles, Wembanyama suggested they both shave their heads as a symbolic reset.
“Then last night, Vic was like, ‘Yo, let’s bald our head.’ I was like, ‘S—, let’s do it.’ I’ve been looking for a reason to do it,” Johnson said as they excitedly shared the experience of cutting each other’s hair.
The pair grabbed clippers once they landed and got to work. Johnson recounted, “Vic bald my hair, and I bald his hair. But you know I got to work on my skills a bit; I might be a barber when it’s all said and done.” Johnson made sure to be careful while cutting, especially since Wembanyama had recently suffered a bump on his head during the game.
“Vic probably took three minutes,” Johnson added, impressed by his teammate’s swift work.
Wembanyama had actually shaved his head earlier this summer when training with Shaolin monks in China, but this moment was different, and it drew laughter from their teammates, including Fox, who playfully noted, “But this? I have nothing to say about this.”
Even in the chilly weather of San Antonio, which dropped to the 30s, Johnson has embraced his new look, though he’s still adjusting to having a bald head. “My head’s cold. I’ve been trying to keep the skully on,” he said, humorously sharing his new experience.
Johnson’s cheerful demeanor and team spirit remain pivotal for the Spurs, especially during this competitive part of the season when young teams often struggle. His ability to maintain a positive atmosphere has been vital in fostering camaraderie. “I wake up every day and I enjoy coming to work and being here with this group,” Johnson reflected. “Learning, laughing, joking—it’s what builds real bonds right there.”
As the Spurs navigate through challenges, this lighthearted event is a reminder of the team’s unity and resilience, showcasing how a little fun can go a long way in keeping spirits high, even through tough times.