It's a match that Victor Wembanyama had probably checked off his calendar for a while. And his reunion with Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr, two of the protagonists of Team USA's success in the final of the 2024 Olympic Games against France, went as he hoped. “I am happy to no longer have to coach the national team”laughed Steve Kerr pre-match.
In line with his match at Bercy, “Wemby”, in the recovery phase after three matches of absence due to knee pain, generally delivered a quality match. At first unable to adjust the sights at long distance, the French interior multiplied, chaining counters (3) and acrobatics of all kinds, both passing (9) and shooting (25 points at 9/21 on shots) to allow the Spurs to sign a prestigious success against the leaders of the West (104-94 victory) and to remain clinging to a Top 10 synonymous with “play-in” (9 wins – 8 losses).
“Victor showed maturity in the 4th quarter”greeted his coach Mitch Johnson. “In addition to performing extraordinary actions as he does so naturally, he was good at simple things, whether rebounding, passing or shooting. Having this variety in his game allows him to fully express himself”.
A fatal 40-13 for the Warriors
The Spurs, lulled by the pace of the San Francisco Bay shooters, had started badly, leaving Andrew Wiggins' Warriors (20 points) to play their game (20-36). Then, the “Black & White” – still deprived of Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell – put themselves in battle order, finding solutions on a quick play in the heart of the second quarter.
Back-to-back after their complicated victory at the Pelicans, the Warriors, yet leading by 17 points 3 minutes from the end of the third quarter (64-81), were “running out of energy” in the last thirteen minutes, concluded by an improbable 40 to 13 between the third and fourth quarter.
“But that’s part of the NBA”positive the former coach of Team USA. “We have to learn to play under pressure when we are tired. This defeat will allow us to continue learning”.
On the Spurs side, the activity of Stephon Castle, notably in defense against Stephen Curry, as well as that of Harrison Barnes, helped Victor Wembanyama turn the match around at the end, against the Warriors unable to find the target (4/ 19 in the last quarter) at the end of the match…
WHAT TO REMEMBER
— Three home victories in one week for the Spurs, a first since January 2021. With the scalps of the Warriors, Thunder and Jazz, the Spurs now have 9 victories in 17 matches. Especially solid at home (8 wins – 3 losses), the Spurs are only the third team to bring down Steve Kerr’s protégés, after the Clippers and the Cavaliers. And the first team to keep them under 95 points…
— “Wemby” took more award-winning shots than Stephen Curry… Eager to become a serious threat behind the arc, the reigning rookie of the year took 13 of his 21 3-point shots (4 successes), while the Warriors' trigger took “only” 10. “His desire to win is immortal”greeted “Wemby” after the meeting, who mainly had an impact on his passes in the “money-time”. “He doesn't play just to play because his team remains at the top of the league. He's hungry, it looks like he still wants to go get a ring.”.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
