Beaten three times last month, the Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning champion, finally took their revenge against Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday January 13.
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The Thunder take revenge on the Spurs
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attempts to outrun Victor Wembanyama during a game between Oklahoma City and San Antonio on January 13, 2025 in Oklahoma City. |
| Photo : AFP/VNA/CVN |
After three defeats in December, in Las Vegas, in San Antonio then at home on Christmas Day, the Oklahoma City Thunder ended up beating Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs 119 to 98.
Overmotivated, the locals finally showed their face as reigning champions during an intense and bitter match in front of an electric crowd, enough to attest to the thesis of an emerging rivalry between the two teams at the top of the Western Conference.
The OKC leader scored a 3e high-flying quarters (40-24) on both sides of the field to take off, in the wake of Canadian MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander (34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists).
Wembanyama (17 points, 7 rebounds) started the game strong, playing off his defender Chet Holmgren to finish near the circle, once on a poster dunk.
“Wemby,” whose playing minutes are still limited after several physical problems, took a beating Tuesday, ending up on the ground on numerous occasions. The 22-year-old Frenchman notably suffered a shock to his right knee in defense against SGA, or saw his left ankle turn as it fell on Kenrich Williams’ foot, without seriousness.
This fourth success in a row strengthens the Thunder’s leading position in the West (34v-7d) ahead of the Spurs (27v-13d), who have the same record as the Denver Nuggets, winners in New Orleans (122-116) with 35 points from Jamal Murray.
The Bucks humiliated by the Wolves
The Milwaukee Bucks of Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) were humiliated at home by the Minnesota Timberwolves, although deprived of Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert (139-106).
The Wolves quickly created the gap with Julius Randle (29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) in particular.
The Bucks are vegetating at 11e place in the East (17v-23d). While his name appears in transfer rumors, Antetokounmpo (31) has assured in recent days that he would “never ask” to leave the franchise which drafted him in 2013 and with which he won a championship title in 2021.
In the absence of Gobert, French rookie Joan Beringer was able to come off the bench with 13 points and 5 rebounds in 29 minutes.
LeBron and Doncic carry the Lakers
In the tone from the start of the match, LeBron James (31 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists) and Luka Doncic (27 points, 12 assists) allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to largely dominate the Atlanta Hawks 141 to 116.
LeBron James, aged 41, played his first “back-to-back” match (just 24 hours after another match) of the season. The Lakers are 5e in the West (24v-14d).
AFP/VNA/CVN
