NBA: narrow defeat for the Spurs against the Cavaliers, Wembanyama valuable

Trailing by 15 points with 4 minutes remaining, the Spurs players can say thank you to Victor Wembanyama for the Frenchman's work in the final moments to bring his team back into contact until they have the match point. But with 11 turnovers, the Spurs finally lost 117-115 after having paid too dearly for Wemby's outings, which allowed Jarrett Allen (29 points, 16 rebounds) to shine. Donovan Mitchell (17 points) and Caris Levert allowed the Cavs to widen their lead at the end of the match too.

On the Spurs side, Devin Vassell started very strong but did not finish as well (22 points) just like Keldon Johnson who made important actions to keep his team afloat (18 points, 4 rebounds). Victor Wembanyama, still limited in terms of playing time, will not have much to complain about (24 points, 10 rebounds).

The Spurs were very diligent from the start of the match, unlike the Cavaliers who took longer to find rhythm, which is so dear to them this season. Devin Vassell took the game on his own and scored 12 points on his own in the first quarter. But just before the end of this first act, it is Caris Levert who will sound the revolt by scoring two 3-point shots in 2 seconds to bring the Cavs to only 4 small points (28-32).

Then in the second quarter, it was Sam Merrill's turn to catch fire and make a series of 3-point shots. By finally finding rhythm, the Cleveland Cavaliers seem launched and the Spurs cannot find solutions to stop the lightning which is falling on their heads. Finally, as a symbol, it is once again Victor Wembanyama who will bring his team back by succeeding in important actions to stay in contact at the break (62-56).

Returning from the locker room, Wemby continued its momentum by scoring 9 points in a row to get back in front. But as for several matches, Greg Popovich will take him out in order to preserve his body. And it is during his absence that things will get complicated for the Spurs. Without anyone who could really stand up to him, Jarrett Allen showed his power in the racket while Wemby could only brood, glued to the bench. Then Caris Levert reproduced the same action as at the end of the first quarter to restore the lead to the Cavs.

Then in the last quarter, when the match seemed over given the dynamics of the two teams, Wembanyama once again sounded the revolt. Chaining together points and high-class defensive actions, he brought the Spurs to just two small points in the final seconds of this game. Jeremy Sochan even had the winning shot at his fingertips, but his attempt failed well outside the circle.

This is the fifth defeat in a row for the Spurs who still cannot do it and thus remain last in the Western Conference (5 wins, 30 losses). The Cavs temporarily moved up to 5th place in the Eastern Conference (21 wins, 15 losses).