A major player the day before during the big victory (102-87) on the Memphis floor, Victor Wembanyama, left to rest, did not participate in the heavy defeat (127-89) of the San Antonio Spurs on the Memphis floor. Oklahoma City, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, author of 26 points overnight from Wednesday to Thursday. “I feel bad because he doesn’t like it,” said his coach Gregg Popovich about resting his player. He wants to play, but I have a long-term vision. (…) It’s the last back-to-back of the season, I have no reason to push it. »
On the other hand, the other French rookie of the Spurs, Sidy Cissoko, finally launched into the deep end at the end of the season after spending the majority of the year with the Spurs reserve team in the G-League, was able to show himself . The French guard (20 years old) played 28 minutes, finishing the game with 14 points (4/7 shooting), 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He was one of the only Spurs, with Zach Collins (20 points but 7/18 shooting), to perform against OKC.
In the West, Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves lost to the Denver Nuggets in the shock of the night. The Frenchman finished with a nice record of 13 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 6/7 shooting, even if the comparison with his evening opponent and probable future MVP Nikola Jokic (41 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) puts it into perspective. There are still two games left for Minnesota, assured of finishing in the first three places in the West, to try to overtake OKC. It will be against Atlanta then against the Phoenix Suns, who defeated the Clippers last night on their floor.
