Only three preseason games on Tuesday night, but they got people talking! With Victor Wembanyama from the San Antonio Spurs and Chet Holmgren from the Oklahoma City Thunder, two top 2 picks from the last two years met and fought a spectacular duel both on the floor and on social media. LeBron James was also in action.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, however, Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis provided the highlights in the game against the Brooklyn Nets, with Davis even at the subsequent press conference.
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NBA: Victor Wembanyama – this is how the debut of the top pick went
Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) – San Antonio Spurs (0-1) 122:121 (BOXSCORE)
Unlike in the Summer League, Victor Wembanyama only needed a few minutes in the preseason to show every person in the hall his huge potential. Wemby scored 18 points in the first half on 7/9 FG and helped the Spurs take a lead of 81:74 (!) at halftime against OKC in a shooting festival.
Wembanyama scored in all possible ways, as he showed in the summer. He sprinted behind the opposing defense twice on the fast break and was successful twice from downtown on five attempts. He was also successful after an offensive rebound, several times off the dribble. Only a few of his points were made particularly easy for him by a teammate. Wemby’s highlight was a Up-and-Under-Layupwhose elegance and athleticism were reminiscent of a Kyrie Irving or Derrick Rose at their best.
In the second half, both teams showed some commitment in defense and scored fewer points, Wemby only added 2 points at 1/4 FG before he made himself comfortable on the bench early on. The best thing to criticize is his 4 turnovers, otherwise the Frenchman looked good, sometimes even in a direct duel against Chet Holmgren.
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NBA Preseason: The performance of the night
The performance of the night comes from said Holmgren, who only needed 16 minutes for 21 points (7/10 FG, 2/2 3P) and 9 rebounds as well as 1 assist and block each. Holmgren and Wembanyam did not consistently defend each other, but in these cases there were signs of a potential rivalry for the next few years. Among other things, Holmgren responded to a long three-pointer from Wemby with an even longer triple within a few seconds.
Otherwise, last year’s second pick scored a lot near the basket, be it after dribbling, an offensive rebound or a pass from a teammate. There he asserted himself physically several times, which Thunder fans are certainly particularly keen to see. Holmgren also cut a good figure defensively.
Holmgren also won the briefly hinted duel between the young, talented big men on social media, but a response from Wemby is still missing for the rating. A highlight post on X shows Wembanyama dribbling past Holmgren for a three-point play, Holmgren commented along with a few laughing emojis: “The headbutt is truly an unstoppable move.”
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NBA Preseason: LeBron James gets into the action
Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) – Brooklyn Nets (0-1) 129:126 (BOXSCORE)
The now officially oldest player in the league also showed up in the preseason last night after sitting out the first game of the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James was on the floor for 17 minutes, contributing 10 points (3/8 FG) and 5 assists to a narrow victory for the Lakers.
LeBron’s age (39 in December) caused concern after the game a funny moment between him and co-star Anthony Daviswho excelled with 3 blocks in just 14 minutes.
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NBA Preseason: The top play of the night
The top play of the night actually came on defense and from the Thunder and Spurs duel, where defense seemed optional before halftime. But not in the final minute, where first Jack White showed a nice block for OKC, then Olivier Sarr and Ousmane Dieng made it even more spectacular together.
With just under five seconds to play and a one-point lead, Dieng got his hands on the opponent’s layup attempt before Sarr perfected the popular term “volleyball spike” and the ball slammed almost vertically onto the ground. That’s how it works in volleyball. In the past, Dwight Howard would have just hit the ball out of bounds with his blocks…
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NBA Preseason: Who will be the hottest microwave in the NBA?
Also very nice to watch was an exchange of blows between Cam Thomas from the Nets and Lakers guard Austin Reaves, both of whom probably want to apply for the title of “hottest microwave in the NBA”. Since Jamal Crawford is no longer in the league, this can be discussed! Thomas and Reaves took turns sinking three-pointers in the third quarter, and that with five ball possessions in a row!
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NBA: The games of the night at a glance
New York Knicks (1-0) – Boston Celtics (1-1) 114:107 (BOXSCORE)
For the Knicks and Celtics, young guards Immanuel Quickley and Payton Pritchard duel with 21 points each, Pritchard converted 4 three-pointers on 11 attempts and collected 5 assists and 3 steals. The Celtics rested their six best players, New York started Jalen Brunson (only 6 minutes), Julius Randle and Co.
Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) – San Antonio Spurs (0-1) 122:121 (BOXSCORE)
Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) – Brooklyn Nets (0-1) 129:126 (BOXSCORE)
2023-10-10 08:44:16
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