Luka Doncic makes Wembanyamas debut bitter

Luka Dončić makes Wembanyama’s debut bitter

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N.B.A day 2

San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursDallas MavericksDallas Mavericks

A star is born in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama, number 1 in the 2023 draft and number 1 of the San Antonio Spurs, played his first official game in the best basketball league in the world this Wednesday. There was a celebratory atmosphere at the AT&T Center in San Antonio ahead of what will likely go down in history as a historic moment: the first game of a player who would mark an era in the NBA. However, the exploits of Wembanyama, known locally as “Wemby,” will have to wait. It debuted with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks (119-126). He was foul-filled and spent most of the game on the bench. He showed some signs of his unique talent, but his debut was rather lackluster and disappointing. At the top, Slovenian Luka Dončić led his team to victory with 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. A triple double.

Shortly after the game began, Wembanyama blocked Kyrie Irving and hit a three-pointer, sparking euphoria from the crowd. However, he only managed one more triple in the entire first half of the game and went into halftime with 6 points, 3 rebounds, one assist and one block. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to pace his minutes, partly by appeal and partly because Wembanyama was bombarded with fouls early on. He played just 12 in the first half and 23 in the entire game.

Despite his size, the Frenchman played on the perimeter in attack for almost the entire game. His returns, his ability to hit the ball, his long-range shot, his stylized figure and his enormous wingspan make him a distinctive player, an icon. However, the debut game shows that he still has a long way to go to become the decisive player he is meant to be. With a player like Luka Dončić, without going any further.

Wembanyama spent the third quarter empty-handed after picking up his third offensive foul and spent most of the time on the bench. He only shined in the final quarter where he scored 9 points and rounded out the game with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block. Opposite, Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II, 7-foot-12, 12th in this year’s draft, had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The good news coming out of the evening for Spurs is that they were competitive throughout the game, despite barely being able to compete against Wembanyama. If the Frenchman starts working, the team can prevail against the NBA’s mediocre rivals. However, they are a long way from the level of the favorites.

Record for Porziņģis

Aside from the symbolism of Wembanyama’s debut, the star of Wednesday’s NBA day was another European of virtually the same height, Latvia’s Kristaps Porziņģis. He debuted with the Boston Celtics and broke the team’s scoring record for a rookie with 30 points while playing against the Knicks, who were his first team in the NBA. He made 8 of 15 baskets from the field, attempting 5 of 9 three-pointers, including one that clinched the game with a minute and a half left. He also made four blocks and grabbed 8 rebounds. His first quarter, in which he scored three triples and 15 of his team’s 30 points, was a highlight.

Porziņģis was a player hampered by injuries, but he also possessed unusual skill and determination for a 2.18 meter tall player. He failed last season with the Washington Wizards, but his arrival with the Celtics has him aiming for a championship ring.

The Latvian center’s role was crucial to the Celtics’ victory in the first game of the season, more difficult than it initially seemed. The Celtics defeated the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden (104-108). Boston star Jayson Tatum, hungry for the ball all game, scored 34 points and 11 rebounds, the best in both chapters. The Knicks trailed all night and took their first lead in the fourth quarter, but then collapsed with a 9-0 run that doomed them to defeat. RJ Barret and Immanuel Quickley were their top two scorers with 24 points each.

The rest of the day’s games featured Cam Thomas’ 36 points in just 25 minutes, but they weren’t enough for his team, the Brooklyn Nets, to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. They were defeated 113-114. In the visiting team, Denis Mitchell and Max Strus each scored 27 points. Mitchell, another crucial player, scored the final triple.

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