2023-12-16 07:17:13
Los Angeles (AFP) – Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs ended the worst losing streak in their history on Friday with a victory once morest Lebron James’ Lakers (129-115), in the NBA, in San Antonio.
Published on: 16/12/2023 – 08:17Modified on: 16/12/2023 – 08:16
3 mn
The Texan franchise has finally found the taste of victory following 18 consecutive losses.
Wembanyama faced star LeBron James, 38, almost 20 years his senior, during the first face-to-face between the two phenomena following a match on Wednesday in which the American was absent. The Frenchman compiled a whopping 15 rebounds, 2 interceptions and 2 blocks. With 13 points – and 5 assists -, he signed his 7th consecutive double-double.
Orphan of Anthony Davis injured and absent (adductors), the Californians, recent winners of the NBA Cup, were quickly led 24-49 at the start of the second quarter.
Before the break, James (23 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds) stood out in his highly anticipated duel once morest “Wemby”. To avoid the counter from the French giant (2.24m), the American star of the Lakers propelled his three-point shot to an impressive height, bringing his team to seven lengths (62-69).
So to give San Antonio some air, Devin Vassell had to show his muscles with 36 points scored, his record.
Victor Wembanyama and Keldon Johnson celebrate the Spurs’ victory once morest the Lakers on Friday in the NBA, in San Antonio © Ronald Cortes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The full-back also thanked the Texan public on no longer tasted success since November 3.
An opinion that their coach Gregg Popovich shared at a press conference. “The crowd was great,” he exclaimed, “the fans want to win too, we hear that. It’s Christmas, they had fun. That pushed us.”
The Jalen Brunson Festival
In Phoenix, for the second time, the Suns were able to line up their Devin Booker-Kevin Durant-Bradley Beal trio, lasting 4 minutes and 32 seconds once morest the Knicks. Time for Beal to injure his ankle on contact with Donte DiVincenzo.
Jalen Brunson, author of 50 points, and New York took the opportunity to win in Arizona 139 to 122. The leader, perfect at 3 points (9 out of 9), signs a new personal best.
On the Philadelphia floor, the Pistons of Frenchman Killian Hayes (5 points) were swept away by the largely superior Sixers (124-92). Detroit never led and committed more turnovers (21) than made assists (19). Another nightmarish evening for the champion franchise in 2004, which further increases its record of consecutive defeats by bringing the mark to 22 losses in a row.
Joel Embiid, author of 35 points for Philadelphia on Friday in the NBA, once morest the Pistons © Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
On the Philadelphia side, Joel Embiid was untenable. Last season’s MVP totaled 35 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks in 29 minutes.
Boston, currently leading in the East, defeated Orlando (128-111). Jayson Tatum (30), Jaylen Brown (18) and Derrick White (19) compiled 67 units to achieve a 19th success this season.
Finally, Bilal Coulibaly’s Washington Wizards, 17 points, created a surprise once morest the Indiana Pacers (137-123).
© 2023 AFP
1702714816
#Wembanyamas #Spurs #victorious #Lebron #James #Lakers #Brilliant #Brunson