After a frustrating first performance, French basketball player Victor Wembanyama only waited for his second official NBA match to achieve his first success with his San Antonio club.
The young 19-year-old player, number 1 on his black Spurs jersey, was decisive on Friday October 27 against the Houston Rockets by equalizing at 111-all to snatch the overtime won at home 126 to 122, in a crazy atmosphere.
The new attraction of the American basketball league compiled 21 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks in 31 minutes of play, to shine after the Spurs’ inaugural defeat against Dallas on Wednesday, during which the Frenchman had, admittedly, scored 15 points , but also had to wait on the bench for a long part of the match, due to too many fouls being called against him.
On Friday, he elevated his game at the right time, recording 16 of his 21 points (along with eight rebounds) in the second half and overtime. And his “lay-up” (a short distance basket using the board), while defended by Jabari Smith, will go down in history as the first decisive move of his career.
Long distance ineffectiveness
“He’s a competitor, of course he’s going to be decisive and do everything possible to win, but they’re all like that,” commented coach Gregg Popovich about his protégé. “We showed some good things, others much less. It’s a work in progress. At least they were persistent,” added the legendary Spurs coach, in place since 1996.
The only downside on Friday night for the number one in the last draft was his ineffectiveness on 3-point shots with a disappointing 0 out of 6 at long distance, in an area where he is usually rather comfortable. On the other hand, he scored a decent 6 out of 7 from the free throw line.
After two home games, the Spurs travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Sunday evening.
