It’s a match that all of French basketball was impatiently awaiting. On the one hand, Victor Wembanyama20 years old, number 1 in the 2023 Draft, and rookie of the year with the Spurs. On the other, Zaccharie Risacher19 years old, number 1 in the 2024 Draft, and starter for the Hawks, a surprise team at the start of the season. Last night, the former Mets 92 interior and the former JL wing Bourg faced each other for the first time in the NBA. In the big leagues, the real one. At the end of a pleasant and indecisive match, the Spurs scored a superb victory (133-126), after extra time!
Rewarded in the center of the field for his title of best defender of the first month of the regular season before the match, Victor Wembanyama first played “Wemby”. Intensity, commitment, immense deterrence in defense and a bit of skill: the native of Chesnay (Yvelines) made a remarkable start to the match, with 10 points in 6 minutes (20-12).
Quite the opposite of “Risac'”, who after two last discreet matches in the “NBA Cup”, was penalized with three fouls in seven minutes. Initially in difficulty, the son of Stéphane Risacher then resurfaced at the end of the first half, scoring several important shots for the Hawks.
Because beyond this Franco-French duel, the meeting was fiercely contested, and as is often the case in the NBA, we witnessed a playoff match. Stuck at 24 points at the break (his career record in the first half), Victor Wembanyama did not score a single point in the 3rd quarter! But Devin Vassell, then Jeremy Sochan, respond to Zaccharie Risacher, and the Spurs regain control (88-85).
The Spurs are “clutch”
While a victory for the Spurs seemed to be taking shape (110-107), Chris Paul and “Wemby” misplaced a precious ball before De’Andre Hunter dunked on the head of the French interior to put the two teams back on level terms .
Behind, the two warm up and each take a technique. Chris Paul loses another ball, then Trae Young misses the winning basket. Extension!
What’s next? A boss-sized extension of Wemby! Eight points in the five extra minutes. And an audience at the Frost Bank Center, enamored by Victor Wembanyama’s new XXL performance… and more generally by his Spurs, always so interesting in close matches: 7 wins – 3 losses!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Bring Young rate to the car. With 23 points and 16 assists, Trae Young did not allow the Hawks to return to victory after their elimination at the gates of the NBA Cup final. He even missed the winning shot.
– Chris Paul, between hot and cold. After his bad pass at the post for “Wemby”, “CP3” landed the last hammer blow to definitively seal the victory for Spurs, 19 seconds from the end of overtime (133-126). On arrival, a mixed performance with 12 points and 8 assists, but 100% on shots.
– Devin Vassell titulaire. Mitch Johnson holds his five major with Chris Paul, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan and obviously Victor Wembanyama. With 23 points on 9 out of 16 shots, Vassell brings external danger, but also aggression. And on both sides of the field.
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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.
