Prestige evening for Victor Wembanyama, who steps onto the floor of the legendary Madison Square Garden for the very first time. A career-defining moment and an opportunity to shine in “the city that never sleeps”.
As against the Pacers on Monday, the start of Spurs is however catastrophic defensively, the Knicks going all out to punish them with 3-pointers or offensive rebounds, with the contribution of their entire five and then their bench. Too messy in attack, because forced to play on half court, and constantly behind in defense, the teammates of “Wemby” therefore logically take the water after twelve minutes (33-16).
Difficult for San Antonio to reduce this gap when misses from distance and ball losses accumulate, like Victor Wembanyama. Especially since, on the other side, new York is in total control with Jalen Brunson, Immanuel Quickley Or RJ Barrett who, behind the arc or in the paint, hurt the Texan defense very much. Fortunately, the Jeremy Sochan – Tre Jones pair is there to create a good dynamic at the end of the half, which was almost unexpected until then (65-51).
The break will not have a miracle effect for Gregg Popovich’s men, who once again take lightning from the start, while RJ Barrett and especially Julius Randle initiates a 14-0 in favor of the Knicks. Their lead climbs, tirelessly, then Jalen Brunson accelerates in turn to ring the Spurs and already kill all suspense, at the dawn of the last act (99-72).
Unsurprisingly, and despite a surprising burst of pride from San Antonio, which finally calmed down, the fourth quarter gave Victor Wembanyama the opportunity to improve his stats, then the two coaches to open their benches, allowing New York to move towards an easy and controlled victory (126-105).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Victor Wembanyama, not really in his garden in New York. A failed first half, with a lot of failures in shooting (including two “airballs”) and avoidable losses of the ball, despite a desire to highlight. Such a delicate second half, despite a few points to regain confidence. Very annoyed by all the activity and the stature of Mitchell Robinson, “Wemby” broke his teeth in “Big Apple” and this first will not go down in the annals. Hence the “OVER-RATED” chants by the New York public at the end of the third quarter…
TOP/FLOP
✅ The Brunson/Barrett duo. The dynamiters of the Knicks today, with their 3-point skill or their percussion towards the circle. Leaders of the attractive New York collective, Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett did not compete with the young Spurs, overwhelmed by their spontaneity and their aggressiveness. We could almost have also mentioned Julius Randle, valuable in the second half to push, then calm, San Antonio.
⛔️ San Antonio. As with the Clippers or the Pacers, the Spurs sank away, on the Knicks floor. This young team, certainly full of desire, lacks cleanliness and efficiency in attack, in addition to being particularly crumbly in defense. It is therefore complicated for Gregg Popovich’s players, who will have to show a completely different face in the long term, in order not to receive spanking after spanking. Particularly far from Texas…
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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.
