“The approach to the meeting, the energy, the discipline, the attitude, the strength and the conviction. At the start of the match, we lacked all of that at once. And I think everyone must have felt it in this room…” Despite the victory of Victor Wembanyama's Spurs at the Nets this Friday evening, Mitch Johnson was not particularly satisfied with his flock when debriefing the meeting at a press conference (96-87 victory). Capable of beating the best teams in the Western Conference and pushing the Knicks to their limits at Madison Square Garden on Christmas Eve, the Spurs still lack consistency against teams they can handle. This Friday evening, they had to work against the other team from the “Big Apple”, the Nets, supposed to be a notch lower.
Julian Champagnie as detonator
Very clumsy in the first half, the Texans had difficulty getting rid of Nic Claxton's partners. It took an excellent Julian Champagnie to keep them afloat. Born in Staten Island, south of New York, the Texan winger, who grew up in Brooklyn, scored twelve of his eighteen points in the second period. Enough to allow the Spurs to inflict a 16-2 on Jordi Fernandez's protégés, after being up to 14 points behind in the first quarter.
With newfound skill, the Spurs escaped after returning from the locker room before taking up to 17 points ahead as money time approached (70-87). Despite the new career record of Keon Johnson (25 points), the Nets (12th in the East) failed to string together a second victory in a row after the success with the Bucks the day after Christmas. The Spurs (16 wins – 15 losses) leave with a victory in three games of their “road trip” on the East Coast. Before ending the year 2024 at the Frost Bank Center against the Clippers, they will challenge Rudy Gobert's Wolves on December 27.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
A less present but historic Victor Wembanyama. Receiving a standing ovation during his presentation at the Barclays Center, Victor Wembanyama weighed less than usual offensively. In addition to his six blocks, the French alien finished the game with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes. Enough to become the first player in history to accumulate more than 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 3-point baskets for his first 100 career games.
Complicated match for Devin Vassell. Victor Wembanyama's lieutenant n°1 last season, Devin Vassell, who had foot surgery in the off-season, is struggling to confirm for his 5th season in the Big League with the Spurs. If he averages 15.4 points, the Texan guard is experiencing an up and down first part of the season. Like his evening match: 10 points at a small 4/16 on shots.
The Spurs' tight rotation. As he has become accustomed to in recent weeks, Mitch Johnson “only” relies on nine players. All dressed against the Nets, Charles Bassey, Malaki Branham, Zach Collins, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Blake Wesley did not play a single minute.
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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.
From our correspondent in San Antonio (United States).
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