Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs let a large lead melt away and lost after overtime against the Toronto Raptors (123-116) on Sunday at home. After two victories in Phoenix this week, the Spurs controlled Toronto for a long time and had a lead of up to 22 points before collapsing in the 4th quarter and losing in overtime. The Texans have a balanced record (3 wins – 3 losses) before going to Indianapolis on Monday.
After his historic performance for a rookie on Thursday in Phoenix (38 points), Victor Wembanyama was again at ease on Sunday, with 20 points but also 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks in 37 minutes.
The 19-year-old Frenchman was also a defensive poison for the Raptors, like his authoritarian counter on OG Anunoby, keeping the ball in hand before challenging his opponent with his gaze. Insufficient activity, particularly at the end of the match where the Spurs made a series of errors and messy actions. While he had captured the winning rebound, Wembanyama, hit by a teammate, for example released the ball and gave the Raptors the equalizer at the end of regulation time.
The Raptors were able to count on Scottie Barnes, stunning during the 4th quarter (17 of his 30 points) and on the awakening of their German leader Dennis Schröder (24 points), against “Wemby” and the 26 points of Keldon Johnson .
See you Wednesday in NY
“Pop (Gregg Popovich) often tells us that it is important to play with intensity for 48 minutes, that a few seconds of relaxation is already too much,” regretted Wembanyama. They have a great, experienced team, they knew how to take advantage of our mistakes. »
Thursday, in Phoenix, the Frenchman scored 38 points in only his fifth NBA game, a performance not seen since 1976 (Michael Jordan, the closest, scored 37 points). Spurs fullback Devin Vassell, injured in the groin on Thursday, could return to his team on Wednesday in New York, said coach Gregg Popovich.