After being left to rest Monday evening facing these same Rockets, Victor Wembanyama was back in business with the Spurs for this Texas derby. The opportunity for the Frenchman, in a duel with Jabari Smith Jr. (20 points, 5 rebounds), to sign another convincing performance (15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in 21 minutes), one week before his big debut in the regular season against the Mavericks.
However, everything was not perfect for “Wemby”, who notably had difficulty adjusting the sights in the first half, ending it at 0/5 on shots (and 7/8 on throws). Despite this, he was able to make his presence felt in defense, with his sprawling arms, his rebounding activity and his instincts, but also in attack, with the attention he generates, the spaces he creates and his shifts on the ball. in hand. The icing on the cake: his little bridge over Reggie Bullock is sure to make the rounds on social networks!
Victor Wembanyama who now begins to propose a… small bridge!pic.twitter.com/LbGhXsAIRF
— DNA of Sports (@basketusa) October 19, 2023
To compensate for the relative offensive discretion of Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio was however able to rely on a brilliant Devin Vassellauthor of 25 points at the break to put Houston from a distance (60-44) and the thunderous first quarter of Gregg Popovich’s men (32-13) greatly helped at this level. Just like the absences of Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green or Dillon Brooks, and the foul problems of Alperen Sengun.
In the second half, “Wemby” then returned with greater efficiency. Not content with making a big chasedown block, he actually lined up two 3-point baskets, in addition to a dunk in front of Jabari Smith Jr, to raise his percentage and keep the Spurs in control. Despite the Rockets’ “comeback” attempt (83-75). Pretty much all there was to get their teeth into, as both teams began to open up their benches and rest their starters.
We would not see Victor Wembanyama again beyond the third quarter, which however did not prevent San Antonio from controlling the last twelve minutes of this game. Enough to win quite logically (117-103) and return to balance (2-2) in preseason, while Houston (3-1) lost for the first time in preparation.
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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.
