The Lakers conceded Minnesota their fifth loss (111-102) in as many games, equaling the worst start to the franchise season since settling in Los Angeles on Friday in the NBA. For its part, Milwaukee remains undefeated with a fourth consecutive victory while Boston was surprised at home by Cleveland. The report of the night.
We had to go back to the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the last played by idol Kobe Bryant, to see the Lakers, who returned to the top in 2020 by winning their 17th league title, to present such a record (0-5). That’s LeBron James – who hadn’t had such a bad start since his rookie year with Cleveland in 2003 – and his teammates more than two setbacks from the club record, dating from 1957, when the then-based team in Minneapolis, before moving to California in 1960, started his season with an 0-7.
In the detrimental absence of Anthony Davis, affected in the lumbar, and with Russell Westbrook, replacing at the kickoff but who did not spare his efforts afterwards (18 pts, 8 rebounds), “LBJ” still did this that he could (28 pts, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 interceptions), without managing to change the outcome of the meeting.
Because his Lakers have lost too many balls (22 against 10), fallen on more collectively armed Timberwolves, like Rudy Gobert, imperial inside (22 pts, 21 rbds, 2 against), Anthony Edwards (29 pts) and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 pts, 8 rebounds, 7 assists).
THE WINNER, THE DEFECTED: MILWAUKEE, BOSTON, OPPOSITE DESTINIES
In a contrary momentum, Milwaukee, who succeeded the Lakers on the NBA throne in 2021, easily mastered the Knicks (119-108), despite poor address (neither team shot at 40 %), but relying on his double MVP (2019, 2020) Giannis Antetokounmpo, close to the triple-double (30 pts, 14 rebounds, 9 assists).
Boston, unfortunate finalist in June against the Warriors, was surprised on its floor by the Cavaliers, winners after extra time (132-123), carried by a duo Donovan Mitchell / Caris LeVert, at 41 points each, more prolific than the tandem Jayson Tatum / Jaylen Brown and their 32 points each brought to the Celtics.
THE PLAYER: MAXEY TO THE MAX
The big individual performance of the evening came from Tyrese Maxey, who planted 44 points (personal best) at 9/12 behind the arc (8 rbds) during the success of Philadelphia (112-90) in Toronto. All in the absence of Joel Embiid, hit in the knee, and with James Harden in sleep mode (11 pts). What give air to coach Doc Rivers, under fire from critics after a mediocre start to the season (four losses in six games).
OTHER RESULTS:
In Phoenix, the Suns easily disposed of the Pelicans (124-111), thanks in particular to the solid match of Mikal Bridges (27 pts). Portland, even deprived of Damian Lillard, injured in a calf, did the same against the Rockets (125-111). A fifth success in six games due to Anfernee Simmons (30 pts) and Jusuf Nurkic (27 pts, 15 rebounds).
In Atlanta, Trae Young (36 pts at 12/20, 12 assists) and Cade Cunningham (35 pts, 9 rebounds, 8 assists) fought a superb duel of leaders, but the Hawks, much more collectively armed and skillful (56 7% success), largely beat the Pistons (136-112). Dejountay Murray (26 pts) and the bench (53 pts) thus largely contributed to their success.
Finally, veteran coach Gregg Popovich’s Spurs confirmed their surprisingly positive start to the season, with a victory (129-124) at the expense of the Bulls, where DeMar DeRozan (33 pts) became the 50th player in the history of the NBA to surpass the 20,000 point mark.
Handisport-Power Lifting/Ch. from Africa
28 medals for Algeria after 2 days
The Algerian disabled power-lifting team won 28 medals, including 12 gold, at the end of the first two days of the African championship which is being held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, until October 31.
During the first day of competition, Algeria had won 15 medals including six gold, thanks to Ahmed Hadja Bayour (2 gold and 2 silver), Khodja Amine (juniors 4 gold), Khodja Amine (seniors 1 silver and 2 bronze ), Kheireddine Ababsa (2 bronze), Mohamed-Said Aouiche (1 bronze) and Sofiane Belkiour (1 bronze).
During the second day, the Algerian team added 13 medals (6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze) to their prize pool. The distinctions were won by Hocine Bettir, (4 gold in individual and all categories), Samira Kerioua (Individuals and all categories 2 gold, 2 silver), Bilal Bouchefra (2 silver in Individuals and all categories), Sabrina Moussaoui (2 silver in all categories) and Houria Larabi (1 bronze in all categories). The Algerian disabled power-lifting selection takes part in this African championship, with 15 athletes including five ladies, engaged in different categories. The continental competition in Cairo brings together 164 athletes (ladies and gentlemen) representing 23 countries The objective of the Algerian federal body, through this participation, is to qualify as many athletes as possible for the 2024 Paris Palympic Games.
