In its series of teams decimated by injuries and “trades” (transfers), Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs did the job last night: they won at a neighbor, Dallas (123-135), 24 hours after beating Oklahoma City, the seriously diminished defending champion. Wemby came off the floor clenching his fist, with the satisfied look of someone who knows how to appreciate these victories that are not really flamboyant, but incredibly useful in the race for the playoffs.
Wembanyama was especially important in the first half, when he made his first five three-point attempts! He failed in the next four, but he had set the tone for the match. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks. A complete match, marked by a high success rate against the circle (54%), and then this increasingly obvious ability to know how to make his teammates score.
This night, he delivered a few blind passes that had Spurs fans traveling from San Antonio to the state’s largest city screaming with delight. One for Carter Bryant before requesting a pass and completing an alley-oop; another, when everyone expected a 3-point attempt, for rookie Dylan Harper, unmarked under the circle. He delivered another, completely unexpected one for Devin Vassell in the second half. A treat!
Wemby “did a lot”
“What I liked most about his game were the funky things he did with his teammates on defense,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. He also scored in attack, he was aggressive and complete, on both sides of the floor. He did a lot! »
“Victor’s energy set the tone,” said his teammate Harrison Barnes. He scored a lot, but beyond that, his ability to attract defenders was very useful to us. » Seven players scored more than 10 points for the Spurs.
Despite Wemby’s strong performance, Dallas remained in contact for a long time. Two minutes from time, there was still only a four-point gap. For the Mavericks, it was rookie superstar Cooper Flagg who impressed: 32 points and a presence in all areas of the game that kept his team afloat, and spectacular actions, like this flying dunk during the third quarter. “Sometimes you just have to tip your hat and there’s not much you can do,” admits Mitch Johnson. To do what he does at this stage of his career is very strong. » Leader Naji Marshall was also surprisingly efficient (32 points) in Dallas.
The end of the recess was whistled by Wemby, author of an authoritarian counter on Gafford two minutes from the end to allow Spurs to maintain their four points lead. San Antonio was able to score by following and offer quieter final seconds. San Antonio consolidates its second place in the Western Conference, a few days before the All-Star break.
