Despite 10 points from Victor Wembanyama (22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks) in the first six minutes, the Spurs took off with the Frenchman on the bench. The skill of Cedi Osman (20 points) and Blake Wesley, and a defense which caused several lost balls, allowed them to finish the first quarter with a 21-6 (35-22).
In the wake of Marvin Bagley (15 points) and Bilal Coulibaly (13 points), Washington responded with a 17-4 to get back into the match (46-45). The Spurs came out of their slump thanks to two winning shots from Osman and Devin Vassell (24 points) to keep the lead at the break (58-54).
The trio Tre Jones – Devin Vassell – Victor Wembanyama makes several defensive stops which they finish on the other side to give the Spurs some breathing space (76-66). The Wizards are hanging on though. Jordan Poole, discreet until then, stabilized the gap before a winning shot from Bilal Coulibaly brought Washington back to -4 (93-89).
Bilal Coulibaly decisive!
With six minutes to play, a winning shot from Keldon Johnson puts the Spurs at +9 (107-98), but Gregg Popovich's men make a series of errors to keep the Wizards in the match again. Kyle Kuzma's teammates (18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) took the opportunity to respond with a 10-2, punctuated by a 3-pointer from Bilal Coulibaly which put Washington in front for the second time in the match (110-109) !
Three defensive errors give two open shots to Tuys Jones (15 points, 9 assists) and an offensive rebound to Daniel Gafford (16 points, 13 rebounds) as San Antonio continues two empty possessions.
For the first time this season, the Wizards won two games in a row. For the Spurs, it is at the same time the end of a series of… two victories in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A Victor Wembanyama inside. For his third match in four days, the Frenchman alternated between brilliant actions and avoidable errors. Wemby shocked Spurs fans by catching a Gafford shot with both hands in the second quarter, raising questions about whether it wasa block or an interception.
In the third quarter, it was with a pass over his head when he was about to fall into touch that he once again splashed the game with his talent. Despite a new double-double (22 points, 11 rebounds), Wemby was also more passive than in recent games. Gafford shook him on the rebound, he set numerous screens without the slightest contact, and lost four balls trying to dribble in transition.
– The spark Bilal Coulibaly. The other Frenchman of the evening, Bilal Coulibaly, was decisive in his team's victory. More than his 13 points in 30 minutes of play, we will remember that Wemby's former teammate was in all the good shots. His defensive activity, including two interceptions on Victor Wembanyama, allowed the Wizards to limit the damage on several occasions. His two winning shots came at opportune moments late in the third quarter, then to put Washington in front with a few minutes left in the game.
– Spurs not very rigorous. Victorious in their last two back-to-back matches against Portland and Minnesota, the Spurs were much less inspired against the Wizards. From the start of the meeting, effort and concentration were not there. They impaled Washington's defense and lost 15 balls which gave their opponent 22 points. Defensively, they left 14 offensive rebounds to their opponent and lost the battle of the racket 66 to 50. The learning continues for the young Spurs who let slip away a match which nevertheless held out their arms to them.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
