Victor Wembanyama left the floor with red eyes and a tight throat, but it was not because of his team's defeat last night against Houston (101-103).
For a few days, the Spurs have been back in Texas and the usual allergies of this time of year in the south of the United States are once again affecting the French rookie.
Enough to explain his sluggishness?
Victor Wembanyama finished the meeting with an impact and a much more measured result than usual: 13 points, 10 rebounds, but also 6 assists which nevertheless took him quite close to a triple-double.
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In the end, the Frenchman must settle for a new double-double (at least 10 in two statistical categories), his 9th in a row and the 35th of his season (9th total in the NBA).
Offensively, he was especially hampered by the very aggressive two-man defense of the Rockets, with Dillon Brooks as the leader of the pack.
“Every evening is a physical challenge,” analyzes Victor Wembanyama.
Houston is a very aggressive team defensively.
It was hard.
Games like these must be a bit like the playoffs, I guess.
Either way, no team has taken us lightly this season.
The opponents always play hard against us, and I thank them because it helps me progress.
»
“In the NBA, you have to make your shots…”
To defy adversity, Victor Wembanyama starts by putting on a show with the ball in hand.
He continues dribbling in front of Dillon Brooks who is initially overwhelmed and forced to commit fouls (he will already have 4 in the middle of the 3rd quarter and will end up being ejected at the end of the match).
The Frenchman's dexterity makes it possible to create gaps, but the efficiency of his partners is only too little there.
“When opponents use smaller players to defend on our big guys, the whole team must participate,” recalls coach Gregg Popovich.
However, we didn't shoot 3 points well enough, especially in the first half.
In the NBA, you have to make shots, it often comes down to that.
» At halftime, Victor Wembanyama only totaled 2 points and 6 rebounds, but already had 4 assists: Wemby, in fact, played around him but his partners converted too little.
Also read: Wembanyama at the All-Star Game agility competition: “Despite his size, he doesn’t want to be put in a box”
In the second half, and even more so in the last act, the Frenchman takes matters into his own hands.
He begins the fourth quarter by putting the ball in the basket with his giant arm, then he follows it up with a three-pointer, before authoritatively countering Holiday.
A little later, he faces Jalen Green and counters him by grabbing the ball with one hand, without moving.
A gesture that social networks are starting to call the “dad block”.
Can't.
Stop.
Watching.
This.
🥶 pic.twitter.com/4OSYGVhIDR
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 13, 2024
At almost every time out, Gregg Popovich whispers instructions in his ear.
In the money-time, the Spurs are behind and trying to catch up.
Tre Jones, although very good throughout the game (24 points, top scorer), arrives after 24 seconds and continues to dribble.
Gregg Popovich holds his head with both hands.
The two teams, neck and neck, ended their meeting with a free throw battle.
Devin Vassell, on the last of them, goes all out by deliberately missing his attempt, betting on a rebound and a basket in the process.
Missed.
Gregg Popovich, good loser, hugs his former assistant Ime Udoka, the coach of Houston.
Victor Wembanyama returns to the locker room with red eyes and a tight throat.
Damn allergies.