Victor Wembanyama’s stellar performance of 26 points and 11 rebounds led the San Antonio Spurs to a dominant 135-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets during Friday night’s NBA action. This impressive win overshadowed the return of Hornets’ star LaMelo Ball, who had been sidelined for 20 games.
Wembanyama, showing exceptional skill, shot 9-14, including 2-3 from beyond the arc, and contributed two blocks in just 20 minutes of play. The Spurs also demonstrated remarkable teamwork with 31 assists, marking their second consecutive win this season.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich noted the team’s growing synergy, saying, “They look like they’re beginning to understand how to play with each other.”
Returning from a sprained right ankle sustained on Nov. 26, Ball made a notable comeback with 28 points, five assists, and five steals. Despite the loss, Ball expressed contentment at being back on the court, albeit with reservations about the game’s outcome.
“It’s always good to play basketball, but not like that,” Ball said. “But it was cool to get back out there.”
The Spurs managed to rest their starters in the final quarter while extending their lead to 36 points. However, Wembanyama will be sitting out the next game against the Chicago Bulls as the team continues to manage his playtime following a recent ankle injury carefully. Wembanyama commented on the situation, emphasizing the team’s cautious approach.
“We are doing our best to have me on the court as much as we can,” Wembanyama said. “But they want to be smart, and I have to listen to them.”
Terry Rozier scored 16 points for the Hornets, who still miss key players due to injuries. Ball played without covering his “LF” tattoo, a change from previous games, reflecting his new clothing brand named after his middle name, LaFrance.
For the Spurs, contributions came from various players, including Doug McDermott with 14 points, Jeremy Sochan scoring 13, and Devin Vassell adding 12. Popovich praised the team’s overall performance.
“I just thought that we were pretty solid on both ends of the floor and had good performances by a good number of people,” Popovich said.
The game also saw a highly anticipated matchup between Wembanyama and Brandon Miller, the top two NBA draft picks. However, the duel lost excitement when Miller injured his back, leading to his early exit from the game.
Wembanyama continued to impress with a series of dunks early in the second half, showcasing his athleticism and skill. Despite criticism on social media regarding his ball handling, Wembanyama remains unfazed, understanding his unique role and the team’s adjustment to his play style.
“Of course, I heard of (the criticism), but it’s never been close to reality,” Wembanyama said. “It’s nothing to worry about. I’m not a conventional player. I needed time to figure out how I want to play and how I need to play for the team. I guess everyone needed time to figure out how to play with me.”
Looking ahead, the Hornets will face the Miami Heat on Sunday night, while the Spurs are set to host the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
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