The duel: Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren clumsy, OKC rolls on San Antonio
Everyone was waiting for the big premiere between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, the two interiors presented as the future of the league. The two favorites for the Rookie Of the Year trophy. Even with a little scent of revenge for the Frenchman after the U19 World Cup final lost against his “rival” in 2021. But their duel was overshadowed by the terrible debacle of the Spurs, massacred by the Thunder (123-87).
For the first time in his young NBA career, Wembanyama was limited to under 10 points! He only made 4 of his 15 attempts (0 of 3 behind the arc) and was unable to force a single free throw. He grabbed 14 rebounds, his new record, but it was an anecdotal consolation prize given the way his team lost.
Holmgren didn’t do much better – 9 points on 3-of-10 shooting and 7 rebounds – but he didn’t need to. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander compiled 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals to remind the young San Antonio team that they were clearly not in the same category as Oklahoma City. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs now have 6 defeats in a row.
Wembanyama Spurs crushed by OKC
Credit: Getty Images
The match: Haliburton and Pacers end Sixers streak despite Embiid
Beaten by Philadelphia by conceding 50 points from Tyrese Maxey last Sunday, Indiana took its revenge Tuesday evening. The Pacers won against the Sixers (126-132), thus ending the Pennsylvania franchise’s streak of 8 consecutive victories. As usual, Tyrese Haliburton was at the helm of this success and he was excellent, both in scoring and distribution. The All-Star point guard finished with 33 points and 15 assists. All without losing a single ball and dictating an infernal tempo.
The Pacers ended up going 11-2 at the end of the game to finally widen the gap after several strong moments on each side. Myles Turner scored 15 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Obi Topin added 27 units. The Indianapolis bench notably made the difference and the gap is quite impressive: 33 points to 6 in favor of the Pacers replacements.
Joel Embiid compiled 39 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals while De’Anthony Melton scored 30 points. Tyrese Maxey scored 27 but this time was limited to 9 of 23 shots.
The player: Karl-Anthony Towns topples the Warriors
Minnesota is having its best start to a season in 22 years and the Timberwolves went for an eighth victory in ten matches by winning again on the Warriors floor (101-104). In the absence of Stephen Curry and after the expulsions of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Jaden McDaniels, it was Karl-Anthony Towns who asserted himself as the star of the evening by scoring 33 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. He notably scored the three-point basket to get back in front (98-99) in money time.
Fact of the game: Start of fight and 3 expulsions during Warriors-Wolves
The first duel between Golden State and Minnesota had already been tense this season, with some heated exchanges between Draymond Green and Anthony Edwards. But their disagreement remained “verbal.” A completely different stage was reached last night. There was the start of a fight between players from both teams. All after… 2 minutes of play.
Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels started the altercation. Their muscular clash in the center of the field created a first crowd. While Rudy Gobert gave the impression of wanting to separate the two players, Green rushed to strangle him by holding him from behind before tackling him to the ground. The referees, some players and the coaches finally managed to calm everyone down before the referees made the decision to eject Thompson, McDaniels and Green.
The performance: Nikola Jokic destroys the Clippers
Sixth defeat in a row for the Clippers, the fifth with James Harden. Los Angeles lost against Denver (111-108) after having a 7-point lead (92-99) 6 minutes from the buzzer. The Californians then conceded a 9-19 while suffering the strong comeback of Nikola Jokic. The Serbian was less effective than usual (8 out of 23 shots) but he came very close to the triple-double (32 points, 16 rebounds, 9 assists). The Nuggets remain at the top of the Western Conference.
The action: Ausar Thompson puts on the poster of the evening
It gives the impression that the rookie is being blocked but, no, he actually dunked on Clint Capela. Ausar Thompson also signed one of the best performances of his young career by compiling 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 interceptions and 2 blocks. He is one of the players to watch on the Pistons side this season.
The French: Theo Maledon holder
Usually LaMelo Ball’s understudy, Theo Maledon had the opportunity to start the night’s meeting alongside the All-Star leader. But it didn’t really work for the Frenchman, who ended up with 2 small points without scoring a single basket. Killian Hayes was also in the Pistons’ major five. He had 8 points, 5 assists and 2 blocks. Clumsy (2 of 8 shots), Rudy Gobert came close to a double-double during the Timberwolves’ victory against the Warriors (9 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks).
All scores
Hornets – Heat: 105-111
Pistons – Hawks: 120-126
Sixers – Pacers: 126-132
Nets-Magic: 124-104
Pelicans – Mavericks: 131-110
Jazz – Trail Blazers: 115-99
Nuggets – Clippers: 111-108
Lakers – Grizzlies:
Warriors – Timberwolves: 101-104