A new cut, and it starts again? With his head shaved, like last summer during his stay in a Shaolin temple in China, Victor Wembanyama, and his new look, splashed all his talent at the reception of the Milwaukee Bucks (119-98 victory). His duel against the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo (MVP in 2019 and 2020), announced for several days on all American TVs, ended short, and not only because it was the young Stephon Castle who was responsible for defending the Bucks giant.
Wemby especially shone where we least expected him. Behind the three-point line, with insolent success, succeeding in almost everything he attempted and author of a new double-double (22 points including 15 at 3 points, only one failure from distance, 10 rebounds). He finished as the match’s top scorer. Alongside him, Castle was also impressive (19 points, 10 assists). The Spurs, in difficulty in recent weeks (4 defeats in the last 6 games), seem to be moving forward. “A team effort,” said Wemby after the meeting. The stat sheet was very balanced.
The start of the match was however difficult for Victor Wembanyama: he received two fouls for two questionable contacts on Antetokounmpo. On the second, after four minutes of play, it was he who was hit in the knee, which forced him to return to the locker room, limping, as much to recover from his shock as to avoid putting himself in danger in terms of discipline (maximum of 5 fouls authorized in the NBA).
He returns at the start of the second quarter and the San Antonio crowd roars with delight. Is it a coincidence that Spurs then take off? With Wemby in their ranks, the Texans are gradually putting their paw on the game. The Frenchman begins his demonstration: a ball thrown back, without even looking, which hits the mark, then two three-point baskets in a row. Easy ! On the second, he realizes what is starting to become a habit for him: he counters on one side of the floor and marks himself on the other. Bad Wemby.
Gunner Wembanyama
The halftime did not stop him in his tracks: three consecutive three-point baskets during the third quarter. With a gunner like that, the Spurs took off: 39 points ahead at the height of the Texan storm. A domination which is materialized by a rather unusual three-point success (43%, against 34% on average this season), but also by a domination under the circle, where the big guys of San Antonio rule the roost.
The Bucks seem a little out of sorts. They also gave up the fight at the start of the fourth quarter: Giannis, his 21 points, and all the other starters joined the sidelines. The Spurs also take the opportunity to rotate. Wemby, still limited in minutes due to calf and ankle injuries, can rest. He only spent 21 minutes on the court, but he didn’t need more.
Before the match, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said that Wembanyama had not yet reached his highest potential, comparing him to Antetokounmpo: “Victor and Giannis are both unique, for obvious reasons. But as Giannis reached his highest level, being an adult in his prime (Editor’s note: its highest level)Victor is still progressing, enormously and in the right direction. (…) He is still very far from mastering his game perfectly, and I say that as something positive, which shows the level we want to go to. It’s a very pleasant moment to experience. »
Wemby and Giannis spoke at length on the floor after the final whistle. The Frenchman seemed to listen attentively to the advice of his elder (31 years old and 13 NBA seasons). “I saw that he had a lot of respect and I have a lot of respect for him,” said Wembanyama. The NBA offers some very tough nights, and to do it like he’s been doing it all this time is remarkable. »
