It was Chet v Wemby III in San Antonio, with the star rookies delivering terrific performances within the Spurs’ upset 132-118 win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The 2 centres will perpetually be linked to 1 one other due to their uncommon skillset, measurement and that they went in consecutive draft lessons – Wembanyama at #1 within the 2023 draft and Holmgren #2 total in 2022.
Holmgren was on hearth early for the Thunder, nailing his first 4 discipline purpose makes an attempt earlier than Wemby began to warmth up himself.
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With the sport within the stability with 4 minutes left, Wembanyama related on two three-pointers to present the Spurs a 9 level cushion.
San Antonio wouldn’t relinquish that lead and ran out convincing victors, with a Wemby block on Chet sealing the win.
The 224cm phenom from France has arguably been the most effective gamers in basketball over the previous month, and he once more handed an insane stat line, recording 28 factors, 12 rebounds, seven assists, 5 blocks, 5 three pointers and two steals.
Holmgren in the meantime was one of many Thunder’s finest on courtroom with 23 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists, nonetheless wasn’t capable of come near Wembanyama’s output within the all essential fourth quarter, which proved to be the distinction.
Whereas the 2 had been neck-and-neck for the primary half of the season, Wembanyama has streaked immediately to be the short-priced favorite for rookie of the yr honours.
CHUCK GOES OFF ON WARRIORS, LAKERS
At all times good for a quote, NBA legend-turned broadcaster Charles Barkley has declared that “nobody” is fearful of the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers this season.
Talking on TNT forward of the station’s broadcast of the Warriors and Knicks, Barkley mentioned each Golden State and the Lakers aren’t deserving of the hype they obtain.
“I’m sick of those fools on different networks speaking in regards to the Lakers and Warriors,” Barkley mentioned.
“We don’t brag about every other play-in workforce, will we?
“I perceive Steph is nice, LeBron is nice however ain’t no person apprehensive in regards to the Warriors and Lakers within the West.”
The Warriors stay tenth within the Western convention after defeating the Knicks 110-99 whereas the ninth seeded Lakers play the Wizards later at the moment.
NO BEN AGAIN AS NETS SCORE CRUCIAL VICTORY
The Nets are making their final stand.
Maybe they need to begin treating each sport as such.
Brooklyn ripped the pink–scorching Hawks from the opening tip and by no means relented, cruising to a 124-97 rout Thursday night time at Barclays Heart earlier than the groups conflict once more on Saturday.
It was all the pieces coach Kevin Ollie has pleaded together with his workforce to display, and it was unrecognisable to what the Nets have produced in current weeks.
Their ambition to sneak into the ultimate play-in spot, which might have been laborious to take critically with a loss, remained on life assist consequently.
The Nets entered Thursday 4 video games behind the Hawks for the No. 10 seed within the East, however now will enter Saturday’s rematch three video games again of that final play-in spot with an opportunity to chop it to 2 video games.
Cameron Johnson, returning to the beginning line-up for the second consecutive sport because of Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons’ accidents, paced the Nets all night time, erupting for a season-high 29 factors on a blistering 10-for-15 taking pictures from the sector and seven of 11 from 3-point vary.
– This was republished from the New York Submit with permission
NBA SCORES
Warriors 110 @ Knicks 99
Hawks 97 @ Nets 124
Thunder 118 @ Spurs 132
Jazz 107 @ Magic 115
Bucks 111 @ Hornets 99
Wizards 131 @ Lakers 134 (OT)
Rockets 105 @ Suns 110
Warmth 97 @ Nuggets 103