The big day has (finally) arrived for Victor Wembanyama, who played his very first regular season match last night! On the program for Spurs and the “Wemby” attraction: reception of Mavericksfor a tempting Texan derby…
With the spotlight on him (and that’s saying something…), the Frenchman immediately stood out with a counter on Kyrie Irving, before scoring his first basket, from 3-points, a few possessions later! The crowd at the Frost Bank Center is just boiling and Gregg Popovich’s men feed on it to punish the (non-existent) defense of Dallas. Having left to rest, Victor Wembanyama returns by planting a new 3-pointer, before going out for two fouls, while Devin Vassell steals the show and Tim Hardaway Jr. keeps his team in contact with San Antonioas best as possible, with Luka Doncic (43-36).
A lively derby!
In the second quarter, the Spurs calm down and Luka Doncic takes the match on his own, to bring the Mavericks back. The defenses continue to thwart and the match is still played at a frantic pace, which causes a lot of waste. On the other hand, Victor Wembanyama has nothing to eat, because he fails to take a position at the post, content to stay out wide. Full of confidence, Devin Vassell gives the accelerator a boost to push back the Mavs, but Grant Williams answers him and everything remains to be done at the break (68-64). We’re not bored !
After half-time, Victor Wembanyama’s difficulties were confirmed. Physically facing him, Grant Williams got into his head and “Wemby”, weaned from balls in attack, got frustrated by committing two offensive fouls almost in quick succession. San Antonio then lost its footing before the influence of the rookie Derek Lively IIuntenable in the paint and perfect to support Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving. On the other hand, we rely mainly on Tre Jones to hold on, with a few flashes from Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell or Zach Collins, but Dallas logically took the lead again (96-91).
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving try to move up a gear, but Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell don’t give up. Good idea, because Victor Wembanyama comes back into play (with five fouls) and decides to catch fire as the “money-time” approaches: 3-points, “and-one”, mid-distance… The Frenchman ignites his audience and the Spurs reverse the dynamic! The problem is that the Mavericks can count on their experience and their Irving/Doncic duo to kill any suspense in the final minutes. As evidenced by the Slovenian’s “dagger” 30 seconds from the end, to offer victory to the Mavs (126-119).
TO REMEMBER
– A delicate first for Victor Wembanyama. The wait was excessive and “Wemby” missed out on the first match of his career for a long time. If he started his game rather well with a block and two 3-point baskets, the Frenchman then found himself hampered by mistakes. Unable to find his shooting positions and to be served in good conditions, because of Grant Williams in particular, the No. 1 of the Draft got frustrated and left his match. Before finally getting going in the fourth quarter, igniting with 9 points to improve his stats. Insufficient, however, to win against Luka Doncic.
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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.
