He was warned about the pre-all-star fatigue factor by San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, heard the words and didn’t think about them again.

“He told me a little bit about it, and so, it’s not more complicated than that; it’s just hard to do,” Wembanyama told reporters in Brooklyn after the Spurs lost there Saturday night.

It probably isn’t all that surprising that Wembanyama took the information about what issues this time of the season would present, processed it and then dealt with it. It’s been that way with him since training camp, part of his development and ability that has impressed those who see him every day.

He doesn’t seem to be a youngster you have to tell things to twice.

“Really high IQ, understands the game intuitively,” Popovich told reporters earlier this season. “You explain something to him and he understands it. He’s just a remarkable 20-year-old.”

The only disappointing part of Wembanyama’s season has been the overall performance of the Spurs. They weren’t supposed to be good by any stretch of the imagination, but even by rebuilding standards they’re lacking.

They come to Toronto with a 10-43 record, third-worst in the NBA, and dragging the carcass of a seven-game losing streak with them.

The process of turning the team into something special is developing more slowly than many had hoped, but perhaps the Raptors will help them out.

Toronto owes San Antonio its first-round pick in June’s draft from the trade for Jakob Poeltl a year ago unless it falls inside the top six selections.

The Raptors currently have the seventh-worst record at 19-33 and would ship the pick to San Antonio if they stay in that spot, unless the Raptors get some lottery magic.

It lends a bit of intrigue to Monday’s game — does either team really want to win? — and will become a more prominent storyline as the final third of the regular season unfolds.

Until then, though, just watching how Wembanyama fits and develops and, at times, dominates will be more than worth it.

He’s capable of jaw-slackening plays — blocked shots out of nowhere, three-pointers with one giant step back about the paint, dunks and finger-rolls with one giant step forward from about the arc.

Truly remarkable moves.

“He’s going to change the game, 100 per cent,” Denver’s Nikola Jokic said earlier this season. “He’s already on that path, so just enjoy and watch the show and let the guy change the game.”