VASSELL, WEMBANYAMA HELP SPURS TOPPLE JAMES, LAKERS 129-115
After throwing a joyous hug around Devin Vassell, youngster Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs called on the audience at the Frost Bank Center to get up and celebrate.
If the Spurs’ response to a regular-season triumph looked strange, it’s because they haven’t had much experience doing it this year.
Vassell scored a career-high 36 points, Wembanyama added 13 points and 15 rebounds, and the Spurs defeated the struggling Los Angeles Lakers 129-115 on Friday night to end an 18-game losing streak.
In only three quarters against the Lakers, the 19-year-old rookie tied Dwight Howard for the most consecutive double-doubles in NBA history for a teenager with his 7th back to back double-double.
In his second season in Orlando, Howard, at 19 years old, set a record when he recorded seven straight double-doubles from November 5 to November 19, the last coming only 19 days before he turned 20.
Wembanyama remarked, “For me, the feeling is like a playoff game.” “This feeling is something we adore.”
After missing the Lakers game on Wednesday due to a sore left calf, LeBron James returned with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
After the Lakers defeated the Spurs 122-119 on Wednesday, Anthony Davis missed time due to a hip issue. He put up 37 points and 10 rebounds on score board. Los Angeles was also missing Cam Reddish (right knee pain) and D’Angelo Russell (migraine).
You may give credit where credit is due, but our squad is not designed to be without three starters, James added. Tonight’s game was excellent from San Antonio. They had excellent ball shooting.”
For the Spurs, who are 4-20, Zach Collins scored 16 points and Keldon Johnson scored 17.
Wembanyama declared, “This is the thing I love, and this is what I’m addicted to.”
San Antonio hadn’t triumphed since defeating Phoenix on November 2. Beyond the 16-game skid from the previous season, it was the longest losing run in the history of the team.
Vassell remarked, “It didn’t feel like a normal win.” People were observed bouncing around on the side. I’m attempting to remain calm. It’s unique. We wouldn’t have sat here at the beginning of the season and said, “We’re going to lose 17, 18 in a row,” but this is a great squad, after all.
Even though the Lakers were playing their third game in four nights, that slump almost extended.
The Lakers made an attempt to offset Davis’s absence with a well-rounded offensive performance. Rui Hachimura contributed 20 points, while Austin Reaves scored 22.
Four minutes into the game, San Antonio jumped out to a double-digit lead. Three minutes into the second quarter, Doug McDermott’s 3-pointer gave them a 49-24 lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Lakers went on a 38-17 run, gradually eroding their 25-point lead. With 19 seconds remaining in the first half, Christian Wood shoved Wembanyama aside for a basket that reduced the Spurs’ advantage to 66-62.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Wood’s dunk completed an 8-0 run, making the score 88-80.
Gregg Popovich, the coach of San Antonio, stated, “Tonight, we made shots, but overall, I think the defense was pretty decent.” “It has greatly improved and has been fairly good, but we still need to work on our offensive end.” But I felt they did a great job competing. LeBron knows how to control everything and do whatever it takes to win a game, so going up 20 points against a team led by him on the field is difficult.”
Wembanyama contributed five assists and two blocks, but in a rare one-on-one between the 2003 and 2023 first selections, he was unable to stop James from making a 3-pointer. https://x.com/NBA/status/1735838487113306203?s=20
About the shot, James remarked, “I just tried to get his hands to go down just a little bit because I know his wingspan.” “I am aware that he can deflect shots that are not in his comfort zone. I was able to take it down by simply trying to make a little bit more space and shoot a little bit higher.
Wembanyama starts the fourth game in a row at center.
Wembanyama stated that “the best way for me to help” the Spurs is “to not put me in a box.” The team labels the rookie as a forward.
However, after playing power forward in his first 19 games, he has now filled the center position for four straight games.
Try not to overthink it. Nowadays, experimentation is key.
Wembanyama is usually surrounded by four perimeter players in the lineups that the Spurs use, and Friday’s game was no exception as they look for the best possible lines.
As far as I’m concerned, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t rate him as a five. He gets it in the paint, on the wing, up top, and on the block. He is offensively everywhere. That’s just who he looks out for, if you want to give him a five.
Wembanyama has shown some indications of improvement, starting at the center. In the last four games, he has averaged 19.8 points, 16.5 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks.
The team’s defense has improved thanks in large part to the rookie.
Before Friday’s game, the Spurs had improved to 12th in defensive efficiency (114.2 points per 100 possessions) over their previous 10 games, mostly thanks to Wembanyama’s 8-foot wingspan.
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