NBA Weekly Recap: Stellar Performances by Wembanyama, Gobert, Batum, and Thompson

2024-01-13 10:38:00

The performance: Wembanyama takes care of everything in 20 minutes, the Spurs do it again

In just under 20 minutes of play, Wembanyama compiled 26 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks, finishing as his team’s top scorer. “Wemby” distinguished himself with numerous spectacular dunks, especially in the third quarter. The Spurs quickly broke away in this match without much suspense, despite the presence on the floor for Charlotte of LaMelo Ball (28 points), returned from an ankle injury.

On Wednesday, the 20-year-old French prodigy scored his first triple-double in the NBA to help the Spurs dominate Detroit. San Antonio had not had two wins since their victories in Phoenix at the end of October and the beginning of November. Dead last in the Western Conference, the Spurs now have 7 wins and 30 defeats. They host Chicago on Saturday. Drafted as No. 1 in June 2023, Wembanyama is going through a good patch, like his team, but still sees his playing time limited since an ankle scare in December.

Wembanyama on the science of counterattack: “I passed a milestone at 15”

The other Blues are not idle: Gobert impressive, Batum just perfect

Victor Wembanyama is not the only Habs to shine this season in the NBA. Rudy Gobert notably had a top-flight season. And he demonstrated it again this Friday. While Minnesota hosted Portland (116-93), the blue pivot was omnipresent under the panels. Absent during the setback against Boston due to a hip problem, he was impressive in getting his team back on track with 24 points on 9 of 11 shooting, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks. Just to remind us once again that his association with Karl-Anthony Towns (23 pts, 8 rebounds) could wreak havoc this season. “We want to win together. It’s a unique association, commented Gobert. In this championship a lot of teams deal with egos. I think we are both at a point in our careers where nothing else matters than victory.”

In the five, Killian Hayes delivered 8 assists and scored 5 points in 29 minutes during Detroit’s new setback against the Rockets (110-112) while Nicolas Batum was particularly effective with the Sixers who beat Sacramento (112-93). ) despite the absence of Joel Embiid. Perfect shooting (5 out of 5 including 4 out of 4 from three points), the former Manceau finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.

Thompson wakes up the Warriors

After two defeats in a row, including a 141 to 105 humiliation in their lair on Wednesday against New Orleans, the Golden State Warriors reacted to Chicago, dominated 140 to 131. Shooter Klay Thompson, not very successful this season, scored 30 points for the “Dubs” and perfectly complemented his friend Stephen Curry (27 points, 9 assists), facing DeMar DeRozan’s 39 points. The Warriors made the difference in the third quarter (48 points). “I think we went off the rails emotionally, spiritually during the last few meetings, said coach Steve Kerr. Our supporters could feel it. We were whistled for the first time in my career here, and as I already said it was deserved because our energy and our competitive spirit were absent. We found them again this evening.” The Warriors remain 12th in the west (18 wins – 20 losses).