Since the start of the season, Victor Wembanyama had sometimes scored a lot of points, sometimes contributed to victory, and often impressed in defense. Never, however, had he done all this at once, and during two meetings in a row. This is now the case, after the victory in the night from Monday to Tuesday of the San Antonio Spurs against the Sacramento Kings (116-96), which follows an already very solid performance two days earlier during a loss to Utah. As proof of his high-class evening, the NBA's social networks published a complete summary of his performance, lasting more than 3 minutes, as soon as the match was over.
Against the Kings, the Frenchman achieved a convincing double-double, and with 34 points, he finished as the game's top scorer (14 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks). This is the first time this season that he has exceeded the 30-point mark (his NBA record is 40), it is also the first time that he has had two games with more than 20 points and two double-doubles. double this year. Has the Wembanyama rocket definitely been launched, after a checkered start to the season and a clear impression of weariness?
Against Sacramento, Wemby once again made his mark: 6 new 3-point baskets (on 12 attempts), equaling his NBA record established… two days earlier. “In every game, he makes shots, and even if he missed some at the beginning, we never held it against him, and he has now balanced his percentage,” apologizes interim coach Mitch Johnson. “Maybe I choose my shots better,” says Wembanyama. I'm 20 years old, I hope it gets better with the years, and not the other way around! »
A tasty duel with the experienced Sabonis
Facing the experienced Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis, Wemby also managed to be consistent throughout the match. “Damontas (Sabonis) is one of the 5 best pivots in the League, and that Victor managed to take up the gauntlet against him is a great moment,” admires his teammate Harrison Barnes.
From the start of the meeting, Victor Wembanyama sets the tone. He tries his luck, and makes his first three points. And a second immediately after, probably from a little too far, but with success, the ball bouncing several times on the hoop before finishing on the right side. He puts his team ahead in the score but above all he creates an insoluble threat for the opponents: if they let him shoot, they take the risk of having to very quickly chase the score. If they come to defend on him, they leave other free players capable of being served by the Frenchman's unbeatable stature. Unplayable!
Chris Paul as mentor
But Victor Wembanyama's great strength is defense, and he will quickly show it: from the 5th minute, he bites a first feint from Sabonis but manages to turn around and counter the Lithuanian's attempt! The rest is of the same ilk, which does not prevent Chris Paul, the experienced Spurs leader, from coming to give him instructions on the sidelines. “I know”, “ok”, we see him answer. “The team is young and we talk a lot throughout the match,” explains Chris Paul. The team has ambitions, we must believe in ourselves and expect to win. We are starting to build all of this. »
In the second half, Wembanyama dunked after grabbing another offensive rebound, and vigorously complained to the referee about a foul not called. He also shows his cunning by going to the ground several times during contact with his opponents. “Causing fouls, I’ve always had that in me, but it’s also something that comes with physical progression: you have to be tough to get fouls with the referees,” he says. And Chris Paul is here now and we all know he’s a pro at this…”
As the game progressed, he continued to be dominant on both ends of the floor, blocking De'Aaron Fox on one side and delivering an assist for teammate Sandro Mamukelashvili on the other. Pure Wembanyama. “I wish you could see the work he puts in on a daily basis,” notes Chris Paul. We know he has talent, but his desire to learn and progress is immense. » The next team to face it will be the Washington of his “friend” Bilal Coulibaly and another Frenchman, number 2 in the last Draft, Alexandre Sarr, from Wednesday evening in Texas.
