Where will Victor Wembanyama stop? Exceptional at the end of the season with the Spurs, the French interior (20 years old) did it again Tuesday evening at the FedExForum in Memphis, disgusting his opponents on both sides of the field for an easy final victory for his team (102-87). The fifth in the last eight matches.
Sidy Cissoko keeps up the dunks
No less than 19 players were absent from the scoresheet Tuesday evening, including 13 from Memphis. Without their usual starters, the Grizzlies got back into the match well, buoyed by a 15-0 run in the first quarter (score 25-16).
Discreet in the first half (4 points at 2/7 shooting), Victor Wembanyama was able to count on his compatriot Sidy Cissoko, finally launched into the deep end after spending the majority of his season with the Spurs reserve team in G-League. The French guard (20 years old) first slammed two powerful dunks in quick succession, before showing the quality of his defense. It was he who then brought the Spurs to within one point of the Grizzlies just before halftime, thanks to a new two-handed dunk, to bring his total to 8 points (score 49-48).
Several spectacular actions for “Wemby”
Victor Wembanyama took over in the second half, rewarding the public with several spectacular movements, like this “lasso” or “Shammgod” dribble ending in a lay-up, and this spin (rotation on oneself) concluded in a dunk which erased his opposite Trey Jemison.
The French giant (2.23 m) gave the feeling of playing against children on the other side of the field, compiling several legendary counterattacks (7 in total). The image of the evening will remain this 3 against 1 initiated by the Grizzlies in transition against Wembanyama, where none of the players finally dared to approach him near the basket.
Thanks to him, the Spurs rolled over their opponents in the third quarter, limiting them to only 13 points (score 77-61). The team coached by Gregg Popovich maintained its lead in the last 12 minutes, finally winning by a wide margin (102-87).
Victor Wembanyama finished with 18 points on 9/19 shooting, but missed his 5 three-point attempts. Sidy Cissoko broke his record for points and playing time this season (10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 21 minutes).
“He brings something new to the floor, this energy, this motor that he has. He doesn’t have a lot of playing time but he seizes every opportunity,” commented “Wemby” about Cissoko after the match, before returning to Spurs’ current progress: “The difference with the other teams is is that we play together and try to draw on the strengths of each player. We must continue to build in this direction. »
