San Antonio gave in at the end of the match to Memphis (129-115) on Wednesday in a match where Victor Wembanyama was targeted by the opponents, including Ja Morant who made an incredible poster but not counted. Despite this, the Frenchman came close to a triple-double.
After resisting well, Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs ended up bowing to the Memphis Grizzlies (129-115), who justified their 3rd place in the standings in the West (26-15). Memphis was imperial after the break (78-52), with a brutal boost at the very end of the game in the wake of Ja Morant (21 points, 12 assists). Morant (1.88m) achieved an incredible “poster dunk” over Victor Wembanyama’s 2.24m which will make the rounds on social networks, even if this action was not counted since the game had just been stopped before by a whistle from the referee.
Embarrassed by Canadian rookie Zach Edey and his 2.24m
The Frenchman was particularly targeted by his opponents, including Ja Morant who had allowed himself a small floater (one-handed shot) above “Wemby” earlier in the match. Despite this, the Olympic vice-champion came close to a triple-double (13 points, 12 rebounds and 8 blocks), but did not make a block in the second half after being very present under the circle at the start of the match.
He first suffered against Canadian rookie Zach Edey, one of the rare players in the league who could look him in the eye (also 2.24 m), and was rather discreet afterwards, with little success. shooting (5 out of 19). Texan rookie Stephon Castle kept his team in the game (26 points, 4 assists) before the Spurs were overtaken.
In the other matches of the evening, the champion Boston, 2nd in the East, was surprised by the poorly ranked Toronto (13th), victorious 110 to 97 on its floor. The five Raptors starters scored 10 points or more, notably RJ Barrett (22 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists), widening the gap in the 3rd quarter. Toronto thus enjoyed a little revenge after being humiliated on December 31, 125 to 71, by Boston. The Raptors defense managed to contain the C’s stars, limiting Jayson Tatum to 16 points and Jaylen Brown to 10 points.
After having to concede an overtime, the New York Knicks ended up winning against their rivals the Philadelphia 76ers (125-119). Jalen Bruson (38 points including 8 in overtime) carried the Knicks in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns, injured by a thumb, and won his leadership duel against Tyrese Maxey (33 points). Maxey gave a subtle kick to intercept the ball 7 seconds before the siren before snatching overtime by attacking the circle. Paul George scored 26 points for Philadelphia and Mikal Bridges 23 points for New York.
