The Frenchman, always hot, could not prevent San Antonio's defeat against Anthony Davis' Los Angeles Lakers, while Cleveland remained undefeated.
After the successful card against Washington on Wednesday (50 points, his record), Victor Wembanyama maintained the pace with a full match against the Lakers (28 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks), attacked thoroughly (9 points after 4 minutes). The Frenchman delighted in the “lobs” of his teammates, but was barely less skillful from afar (4 out of 13 at 30.8%), while keeping up the pace in defense on certain actions against the strong Anthony Davis and LeBron James. But after a close end to the game, the Spurs ended up capitulating (120-115 for Los Angeles), after a decisive layup from LeBron James 25 seconds from time.
The “King”, in his 22nd NBA season at age 39, scored a 4th triple double (15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists), a first in his immense career. James played in his 1,504th NBA regular season game, tying John Stockton. This season he has the means to surpass Dirk Nowitzki (1,522), Vince Carter (1,541) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560), to get closer to Robert Parish's record (1,611). The Lakers were especially able to count on their pivot Anthony Davis (40 points, 12 rebounds), a major contributor to Los Angeles' good start to the season (8 wins – 4 losses), who intends to defend his NBA Cup won last year. . With 11 passes for Spurs, Chris Paul (39) surpassed the 12,000 passes mark, the third player to reach this record after John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091).
Cleveland unstoppable
Thanks to their success against the Chicago Bulls (144-126), the Cleveland Cavaliers won their 14th match in as many meetings since the start of the season. Sunday against Charlotte, they will have the opportunity to equal the second best start in league history, achieved by the Houston Rockets in 1993 and the Washington Capitals in 1948. The record belongs to the Golden State Warriors (24 wins in 2015). Hooked by the Bulls (tied at 10:41 from time), the Cavaliers accelerated thanks to Donovan Mitchell, author of 18 points in the 4th quarter alone, for a total of 37 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, being well helped by Darius Garland (29 points).
OKC remains in the lead in the West
The Oklahoma City Thunder won the top-of-the-table duel in the Western Conference against the Phoenix Suns (99-83), with 28 points from Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to stay at the top of their conference. The New York Knicks, despite having an 18-point lead at the start of the 4th quarter, were almost surprised at the end of the game by Cam Thomas' Brooklyn Nets (43 points), who went in front 12 seconds from time, before that a long shot from Jalen Brunson (37 points) then a block from Miles Bridges offered victory to the Knicks in the New York “derby”. Despite the presence of Paul George (13 points) and Joel Embiid (20 points) the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a 9th defeat (2 wins) against Orlando (98-86).
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