After eight points in the first six minutes of the game for Victor Wembanyama (17 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks, 5 lost balls), the Frenchman and the Spurs took the water until halftime. Despite the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns, the injury exit of Kyle Anderson, and an ankle scare for Anthony Edwards, the Wolves dominate the debates. Edwards scored 18 points in the first half, Naz Reid (22 points) added 11, and Minnesota, which had a lead of up to 20 points, returned to the locker room at +15 (58-43).
Frustrated by Wemby's fourth lost ball, Gregg Popovich put his rookie on the bench after 52 seconds of play in the third quarter. With or without the French, the situation remains the same. Edwards continues his festival, Rudy Gobert imitates him in defense, and the gap climbs to +24 (85-61). The revivals of Wembanyama, Devin Vassell (21 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds), and Tre Jones (11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) allowed the Spurs to reduce the score in the final minutes, but the Wolves headed towards an easy victory.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The roller coaster for Victor Wembanyama. The Frenchman started the match with a series of highlights, including a 3-point step back on the head of Kyle Anderson and a counter without jumping on Monte Morris. He scored 8 of his 17 points in the first six minutes. He also lost a series of balls. His 4th came just after the start of the second half and Popovich brought out his star! He put it back into play five minutes later, and Wemby lost his fifth ball on the next action. In total, he lost 5 of his team's 22 balls (Tre Jones lost 6) and made several decisions that did not please his coach.
– Anthony Edwards' bionic ankle. While he had signed a festival in the Spurs defense since the start of the match with 18 points scored, Edwards severely twisted his left ankle two minutes from half-time on a harmless markout near the middle of the field. The slow motion was scary to see and yet the Wolves star held his place well after returning from the locker room. He added 16 points in the second half, including 14 in the third quarter, to reassure everyone and put the Spurs out of harm's way.
– Successful return for Rudy Gobert. Absent during his team's victory against Brooklyn on Saturday due to a painful ankle, Rudy Gobert was there last night and he was dominant. He finished with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 blocks and two powerful dunks against Victor Wembanyama.
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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.
