“The CM can no longer keep up with all these dunks from Victor,” laughed the San Antonio Spurs account X (ex-Twitter) on Friday evening. Always spared by the Texans’ medical staff, Wembanyama only spent 19 minutes on the floor against Charlotte, but the Hornets felt it pass (26 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) on the way to the Spurs’ biggest victory this season (135-99). The second in a row after Detroit (130-108) on Wednesday and the young Frenchman’s triple-double, a mini-series not seen since the fourth and fifth matches of the season at the beginning of November.
The return of LaMelo Ball (28 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) however promised a tougher game for the young squad led by Gregg Popovich. But after a balanced quarter, the All-Star leader could only see the damage. With a basket on an offensive rebound then a three-point shot on the head of Nic Richards, Wembanyama made a first break for the Spurs (38-29, 14th).
Wembanyama absent Saturday evening
Back on the bench, “Wemby” saw Doug McDermott (14 points) take over. The 32-year-old shooter scored three consecutive winning baskets to further build San Antonio’s lead at the break before the Wembanyama show (67-45, 24th). After a three-point basket, the international interior (4 selections) launched into a solo dunk contest. The first two on caviars from Tre Jones and Devin Vassell (12 points, 5 assists) before a third in force to conclude his drive and a last on the fall of a ball messed up by Jeremy Sochan (77-48, 26th).
After a final basket with finesse, left hand, Wembanyama returned for good to the bench while Keldon Johnson, with an acrobatic winning shot at the buzzer of the third quarter, folded the match (103-71, 36th). The reigning MVP of the French Championship will have to wait until Monday to play again. He announced his absence on Saturday against Chicago, his franchise preferring to leave him to rest rather than playing two matches in two days.
“I won’t play tomorrow, I would have liked, especially since we are on a winning streak. I’m waiting (for his right ankle to be re-examined by the staff), confirmed Wemby. Every time I step on the field, I think about my goals. The main thing is to win a title one day, and that starts with these efforts today. » The Spurs remain bottom of the Western Conference but are only three lengths behind Portland, penultimate.
