Victor Wembanyama corrected the situation • Basket USA

The Spurs had explained that they wanted to rely more on the 3-point shot despite their defeat against Utah, and the actions followed the words. After the 47 attempts from distance against the Jazz, San Antonio stopped this time at 46 against the Kings, but this time with the victory at stake. And Victor Wembanyama was no stranger to this, with six successes behind the arc, as against the Salt Lake City franchise, for a career record equaled. This with once again a very good percentage.

It was one of the big topics of discussion in the NBA microcosm since the start of the school year, to the point of sparking debates and delighting skeptics. Completely out of control from afar during the first nine matches of the season (14/62, 23% success), “Wemby” did not however decide to limit costs. Monday evening against Sacramento, it was almost the opposite with three 3-point attempts after four minutes of play. Left alone for his first award, the Frenchman immediately found the confidence to follow up with a second succeeds a good meter behind the line, with first intention, and despite Domantas Sabonis in front of him.

12/21 by far in two evenings

A good illustration of his very good evening shooting, with a 6/12 from afar. Above all, Wembanyama has partly erased his excesses of gluttony. “ What has clearly changed is not the fact that I take fewer 3-point shots, but that I take better 3-point shots » he commented after the meeting. “ I feel more comfortable. I'm only 20 years old, so I hope that every year I'll feel better and better. »

Author of 34 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks, the San Antonio star limited bad choices, with more shots taken in rhythm. It is also anything but a coincidence that five of his six successes in the evening are consecutive to a pass from Chris Paul, and without making the slightest dribble. With twelve 3-point baskets made in two games, Wembanyama has almost reached his total in the first nine games combined. “ He shoots every day » reassures Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson. “ He missed some real good positions to start the season, and I understand why that's a topic of discussion. But I don't think we were in doubt at any point because of his missed shots. I think it's just the percentages that are now balancing out. »

« I wish you could see the work he does day after day » mentioned Chris Paul. “ You know how talented he is, but he really has the drive to get better and work on things. » A job that pays off, and which gives a whole new dimension to the rest of his game. More good, successful outside shots is also potentially synonymous with fewer risky lurches with the ball in hand (3 lost balls on Monday, his second lowest total of the season). Domantas Sabonis never really knew how to approach the problem, frequently showing up late, visibly fearing the agility and speed of the Frenchman's dribbling start more than the precision of his wrist.

When even missed long shots are virtuous

« You have to take shots to succeed » recalls Harrison Barnes to the media. “ We focused on creating good 3-point shots in the offseason, and we're carrying that into the season. Some evenings they fall. Others don't. But as long as they're quality shots, we'll keep taking them. »

This is all the more important for the Spurs as they will also be able to count on Victor Wembanyama to pick up the crumbs. Of his four offensive rebounds in the evening, three came from 3-point failures. For three baskets on a second chance for the Habs, and a second ammunition offered to Sandro Mamukelashvili… converted from afar.

The recipe worked against the Kings on Monday and now needs to be confirmed. The Spurs (5 wins – 6 losses) have the opportunity to return to balance on Wednesday evening against the modest Wizards (2-7) before tackling a perilous series which will see them face the Lakers, the Mavericks, the Thunder and the Warriors by the end of next week. “ We have to approach every match expecting to win and we start building on that » enthused Chris Paul.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.