NBA: Wembanyama in triple-double, the Spurs win the clash of the dunces

San Antonio did not fail. This is indeed the kind of match that the Spurs must take, complete and against a team even less dashing than theirs, which is also deprived of its best player, first in scoring and assists, Cade Cunningham, and of its best rebounder, Isaiah Stewart. They did it. With 16 points (6/16) from Victor Wembanyama, brilliant, the Texan club won in Detroit (108-130) last night. The end of a series of five defeats and the sixth victory of the season (in 36 matches) for the Spurs, still last in the Western standings. Sixth consecutive loss for the Pistons, more than ever holders of the dunce cap in the East and who have only won three of their 38 matches.

Expected next year in Paris for a regular season match in Paris, “Wemby” also compiled 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 21 minutes, his first career triple-double and the first for a rookie in the history of the Spurs. Total domination of number 1 of the 2023 Draft, also impressive in protecting the circle. And this even if he did not make the slightest counterattack. An incongruity for the best blocker in the entire NBA. Six of his teammates finished with 10 or more points, including Keldon Johnson (17 pts) and Darius Vassell (16). Holder with Detroit, Frenchman Killian Hayes contributed 4 points and 12 assists. 19 units for Jalen Duren and 19 for Bojan Bogdanovic and Jaden Ivey.

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It's hard to remember that this poster was that of the 2005 Finals, with the Spurs crowned in seven matches and Tim Duncan named MVP of the series. Such is life in the NBA. Weakened, the Pistons quickly took lightning in this clash of dunces. They led 10-8 after four minutes of play before... submitting to the law of a San Antonio team which shot more than 60% by pounding the circle during a 17-2 (12-25) , with more rebounds, more passes. The Texans were up to 16 points ahead in a first quarter which they won 31-19, with already six points, five rebounds and four assists from Wembanyama. San Antonio loosened its grip on defense in the second quarter and returned to the break with a double-digit lead (51-63 MT). “Wemby” was already almost a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds despite still limited playing time (11 mins).

With Wembanyama in the oven and in the mill, San Antonio started again strong for the start of the second act, pushing its lead up to 19 points, the biggest gap of the match at that time (57-76). And even without the Frenchman, the ball circulated well and the Texans played as a team. They didn't take long to kill the suspense in the fourth quarter, widening a gap of 25 points to win 130-108 in the end. Calm. Very calm.

What if San Antonio started a great series? Gregg Popovich's men will play two affordable matches at the Frost Bank Center on Friday and Saturday, against Charlotte and Chicago. They will continue with a series of five matches in the East (Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Washington, Philadelphia). Hayes and the Piston will try to get back on track against Houston on Friday and/or in Washington on Sunday. Before that, Donovan Mitchell's Cleveland Cavaliers will challenge Mikal Bridges and the Brooklyn Nets this Thursday at the Accor Arena.

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