You only need to see the reaction of Victor Wembanyama on the bench to understand that the 3-pointer Jeremy Sochan took everyone by surprise. The Spurs winger was 0/6 from a distance in the match against the Suns, and for a week, he had even missed 16 3-point shots in a row. This shows that this prize-winning basket, scored 29 seconds from the siren, was improbable. Improbable but decisive since it will ultimately be a “game winner” after the two failures of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the last possession.
“I had the impression for a few matches that the ball wasn't going in, but whatever it is, I believe in myself! » he said in press conference. A confidence that allowed him to take this shot at the very end of the possession.
For once, his movements were clean, and he ended this series of 3-point drought to offer victory to the Spurs, and validate an exceptional performance: 26 points and 18 rebounds, his personal best. Ideal to compensate for the absence of Victor Wembanyama, injured in an ankle.
More united Spurs without “Wemby”
Listening to Jeremy Sochan, the absence of “Wemby” was almost a blessing in disguise, since the Spurs are perhaps too inclined to rely on their rookie to save the furniture.
“We were missing a key piece, and I think that makes us realize that we needed to be more united with each other” estimates the 20-year-old winger. “We have to do the right thing, whether it's defending, getting rebounds, stopping people from scoring in the paint… Since we didn't have our centerpiece, we had to be dialed in, we had to help each other. »
“We got slapped by them, and we all took it badly” adds Zach Collins. “I have no doubt that if Victor had been there we would have done the same thing, except beat them by a bigger margin. »
What Gregg Popovich notes is that the world played its best basketball in the absence of the Frenchman, and that is reassuring and promising for the future. “A lot of players played well, and that’s what we needed to do. We can't do it with one or two players. Everyone must contribute. »
Sochan took up the Durant challenge
And on both ends of the court, Gregg Popovich wanted to highlight Jeremy Sochan's defense on Kevin Durant. “KD is such a challenge for anyone… He's one of the best players of all time, and Jeremy never stopped grinding. He was very physical and he did his best to defend a very big player. »
Especially in the last quarter since Kevin Durant signs a 2 out of 6 in the last period, after having planted 10 out of 11 shots until then!
“It’s exactly the same thing every match: I have to defend against the best players, and try to bother them a little” reacts Jeremy Sochan. “It's just about making things difficult for them, against players who will end up in legends. »
This is only the second time this season that Spurs have won a game without Victor Wembanyama. But both victories took place in March, and it is a sign of some progress. “Things will get sorted out. It's just a matter of time “ assures Keldon Johnson. “And when it does, it’s going to be scary. »
