As during Golden State’s first visit to San Antonio in mid-March, the aisles of the Frost Bank Center were unusually blue and yellow on Sunday evening for the Warriors’ return to Texas (117-113 victory). The spectators only had it for Stephen Curry (35 years old), applauded at every action even if his team was scared, and could even have lost at the end of the match against a furious Victor Wembanyama.
After three convincing victories, the Spurs were diminished on Sunday (Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson withdrew due to injuries). Victor Wembanyama (2.23m, 20 years old) took matters into his own hands, making people appreciate his defensive quality at the start of the match, as in his two counterattacks on Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins. Restless and altruistic, the French rookie worked to set screens to free his teammates, like winger Cedi Osman, very skilful from a distance in the first half (15 points at 3 out of 5).
Draymond Green decisive, Wembanyama weighed in the money-time
Ahead at the break (60-52), the Spurs saw the Warriors come back like cannonballs, carried by an excellent Draymond Green on both sides of the field (21 points, 11 assists, 6 interceptions), and the diabolical address from Stephen Curry from afar (33 points at 46.7% success). After a third quarter dominated 37-21, Golden State insisted until leading by 11 points two minutes from the end (113-102, 46th). “Wemby” then pulled out all the stops by scoring a winning shot and five free throws to come within three points of the Warriors 29 seconds from time (116-113, 47th).
He unfortunately committed a foul on Draymond Green on the following action, sending him to the free throw line where the interior scored his first attempt (117-113). The French rookie then had the last chance shot, three points to maintain a tiny hope, but it fled the circle “Draymond played incredible tonight. Trayce (Jackson-Davis) did what he knows how to do and Moses (Moody) weighed in coming off the bench… It was a collective effort” reacted Stephen Curry after the match.
“I focus on how to help the team, like passing if I’m doubled (taken by two opponents) in defense. I’m ready to do all these little things that you don’t notice on the statistics sheet,” commented Victor Wembanyama, referring to his all-terrain performance of the evening (32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 interceptions and 3 blocks). Golden State has a fourth consecutive victory and clings to its 10th place in the West, synonymous with accession to the play-in at the end of the season. San Antonio remains last in the Conference with a 57th defeat in 75 matches.
