As he wanted to face his friend and ex-teammate Bilal Coulibaly in back-to-backVictor Wembanyama had asked not to play the first round of this one at Charlotteto better be available this Saturday evening in Washington.
In the absence of their French nugget, the Spurs therefore relied on Keldon Johnson (25 points) and Devin Vassell (17 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds), but it was not enough to resist the Hornets (124-120), led on their side by a quartet LaMelo Ball (28 points, 8 assists, 3 steals) – Brandon Miller (24 points, 9 rebounds) – Miles Bridges (23 points, 6 rebounds) – PJ Washington (20 points, 6 rebounds).
In the lead almost the entire game, but pushed at the finish, where LaMelo Ball had to work, this Hornets team thus puts an end to a series of six defeats in a row, a week after being corrected at San Antonio. Spurs who lose for the fourth time in a row.
TO REMEMBER
– LaMelo Ball finishes strong. Author of 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, LaMelo Ball was decisive in helping the Hornets achieve what constitutes only their third victory since the start of December. A way to demonstrate that his feelings are indeed back, because this is his best performance since his return from injury. Despite the awakening of Tre Jones in the last act, “Melo” did not tremble and he responded, notably scoring a crucial basket 26 seconds from the end, to put Charlotte at +3 and while San Antonio had taken the advantage a few possessions ago.
– The returns of Brandon Miller and Zach Collins. This meeting, generally dominated by Charlotte, was also synonymous with a recovery for a major player from each rotation: Brandon Miller on the Hornets side, Zach Collins on the Spurs side. The two men had been absent for one and three weeks respectively, but they also each shone in their own way, Miller standing out with his 3-point baskets and Collins doing good work inside in the absence of Victor Wembanyama. Two welcome returns for these two teams in difficulty collectively.
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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.
