Victor Wembanyama’s official NBA debut didn’t go ideally, but it surely definitely wasn’t dangerous. With out ever straight up saying the NBA is tender, he has talked about that the sport is extra “bodily” in France, and he must alter. He was confirmed right straight out of the gate as he fought foul bother all night time — typically of the ticky-tack selection; he’ll simply should be taught what’s and isn’t allowed within the NBA (particularly for rookies) — however when he was truly given an opportunity to remain on the courtroom and his teammates had been in a position to get him the ball, he nonetheless seemed fairly particular of their season-opening loss to the Mavericks.
Regardless of three-point capturing being a weak point coming in, he shot 3-5 from past the arc in his first NBA recreation, together with the primary two area objectives of his profession. Then, after being saddled with foul bother within the center two and starting of the fourth quarter, he went on a nine-point burst to assist in giving the Spurs an opportunity late. These mini-explosions have occurred in almost each recreation now, so it’d change into a signature function of his (however he’ll additionally have to work on contributing on a extra regular foundation all through the sport). After it initially seemed like his debut can be a dud, he completed the night time with 15 factors on 6-9 capturing, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block.
Devin Vassell additionally continues to appear like a star-in-the-making. With a wholesome knee and bulked up body, he was hitting from all over the place besides three final night time on his method to 23 factors, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a couple of steals. His midrange jumper seemed silky clean, and his means to get to and create across the rim is there. Wemby may have his bursts, but it surely seems like Vassell would be the go-to man once they want factors, at the least for now.
5 extra Spurs scored in double figures on the night time. Keldon Johnson bullied his method to a close to triple-double with 17 factors, 9 rebounds and seven assists to be their main facilitator of the night time, however poor decision-making and tunnel imaginative and prescient led to 2 pricey turnovers late. Tre Jones seemed like a Sixth Man of the Yr candidate with 16 factors, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, together with a a lot improved wanting three-point stroke. He and Jeremy Sochan every contributed two threes on a mixed 4-7 capturing exterior on the night time, and if each have actually improved in that space, it would assist unfold out this Spurs offense much more.
You possibly can verify all of it out within the full recreation highlights.
