The clashes between Nikola Jokic et Victor Wembanyama (2.24 m, 20 years old) were already spectacular last season, but a bar has been reached again this season. This first meeting of the season last night was a great vintage. The two star pivots scored almost… 80 points in total. Around this duel of titans, the Nuggets and the Spurs fought a superb battle which was decided in the last seconds.
Duel at the top
Well rested after a very quiet victory against the Clippers (122-86), Wembanyama and his teammates arrived motivated on the land of the 2023 champions and their triple reigning MVP. Even more so after a frustrating road trip, with money-time defeats against Philadelphia (106-111), New York (114-117) or Minnesota (110-112). They were keen to catch up. With 22 points and 13 rebounds in a first period won by the Spurs (60-52), Wembanyama led his team. All while being tasked with defending Nikola Jokic who gave him a hard time, causing numerous fouls (5) which handicapped him for the entire match.
On the other side of the field, the French prodigy was defended by Denver’s outsides, with a second defender arriving quickly at each post position. Enough to cause numerous ball losses (8). But “Wemby” being who he is, he countered this defensive strategy by stringing together increasingly distant 3-point baskets (4/6 in the end). Which brought the two teams to a crucial last possession (111-110).
“It should serve as a reference match”
As happened many times during the match, Jokic found himself in the post, trying to push Wembanyama. Fade-away attempt from the Serbian pivot, but the long arms of his French counterpart hampered him, and forced him to make a complicated pass… intercepted by Devin Vassell (18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), who scored the winning dunk on the counterattack. With just two seconds on the clock and no timeouts, the Nuggets attempted one last shot from midfield via Michael Porter Jr (22 points). Without success.
The Spurs exploded with joy after this exhilarating victory, which the coach Mitch Johnson announced as a reference match: “It must serve as a reference match for the future, which shows what we are capable of. We have to build on that. » Statistically, the two pivots showed their superiority. Nikola Jokic’s 41 points (but on 36 shots), 18 rebounds and 9 assists were not enough. For his hundredth career game, Wembanyama accumulated 35 points on 14/22 shots (including 4/6 from distance), 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in 33 minutes. “Victor’s statistical line is obvious, but I think everyone was solid tonight” highlighted Mitch Johnson.
