Spectacular but not decisive enough, the contrasting night of Wembanyama, beaten with Spurs at Wolves

A long way of the cross.

The Spurs suffered their 48th defeat this season, the fifth in a row, at the heart of a series of nine games on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday in Minnesota (114-105).

In the middle of all this, Victor Wembanyama started brilliantly but gradually faded away.

Dev and Vic filling up the stat sheet tonight 📈#PorVida |

@Spurs |

@BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/sm4KqknYo6

— Bally Sports San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) February 28, 2024

However, it all started in a very spectacular way for the Frenchman.

He hits two blocks then sends a pass behind the back to his teammate Champagnie.

The Spurs are ahead for a short while (10-5), but that won't last.

San Antonio's number 1 puts on a show.

He makes a rather improbable three-pointer on Anderson's head.

Also read “He captured people’s hearts”: star among stars in Indianapolis, Wembanyama has already conquered America

Then he tries to succeed in the same action two gestures that he had made previously in the season: he rolls the ball behind his back before throwing it against the board to recover it.

The maneuver fails but impresses everyone.

The NBA, which usually never posts unconverted actions on its networks, is making an exception this time.

Wemby loses the defender with the behind-the-back and throws it off the backboard NEARLY converting the highlight 😲

SAS-MIN |

Live on the NBA App

📲 https://t.co/yC8Myr4ijX pic.twitter.com/wPsc5iIUoi

— NBA (@NBA) February 28, 2024

The second half is much less lively and the Spurs gradually unravel.

Victor Wembanyama's impact on the game and on his team is also gradually fading.

He still plays 34 minutes, a fairly high total for him this season, while his team plays again Thursday against Oklahoma.

didn't have to leave his feet 😅@wemby |

#PorVida |

@Spurs |

@BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/wRH8ZuRozN

— Bally Sports San Antonio (@BallySportsSA) February 28, 2024

For his part, the other Frenchman Rudy Gobert was once again impressive: only 13 points perhaps (as well as 17 rebounds), but defensive activity (4 blocks in particular) which transformed him into the undisputed favorite for the title of defender of the year.

In the predictions of this prestigious ranking, the second is for the moment… Victor Wembanyama, giving rise to intense promises for the future of the French team, starting with the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

In the second half, Gobert even dunked on his compatriot, symbol of the domination of the Wolves, one of the best teams in the Western Conference that San Antonio had beaten somewhat by surprise last month.

Rudy Gobert's second dunk on Victor Wembanyama this evening, powerful.

pic.twitter.com/gqzg7JG4bY

— Benjamin Moubèche (@BenjaminMoubech) February 28, 2024

For the Spurs, this trip to the Midwest constitutes the last in a long series: 9 exactly, due to a rodeo festival in their San Antonio hall (for 8 defeats).

Starting Thursday against the Thunder, the Texans will play at home.

The path of the cross of these 9 trips in a row may be over, but that of the series of defeats could continue for a little longer.