NBA: after his record, Victor Wembanyama on cloud nine with the Spurs

After the record, Wembanyama unfolds! The Spurs champion scored 30 points in 26 minutes on Friday to win in Sacramento, when the Cavaliers spoiled LeBron James' return to Cleveland.

Wemby, a cruising speed

San Antonio won 124-109 against the Kings thanks to a strong Victor Wembanyama in defense (14 rebounds) and skilled shooter (4/6 from three points).

After a match with a personal record of 52 points against Dallas, shooting, “it’s my greatest strength” at the moment, smiled the Frenchman.

He was up to 20 points at halftime, thanks to a handful of lobs offered by his teammates and concluded at the basket, shots behind the arc and penetrations in the racket, facing a team too messy to hope for better. Small scare, however: Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis tips him back on a three-point attempt just before halftime. The 22-year-old Frenchman collapsed, his ankle in his hands.

“I trained my ankles, and they have already been subjected to these amplitudes, so it is not new,” put Wembanyama into perspective after the duel which also counted for the NBA Cup, a tournament which takes place during the season. “But we must avoid as much as possible” this kind of contact.

Helped by three players with 19 points (Castle, Harper, Vassel), the Spurs have a 7th victory in a row in the NBA, after two defeats to start.

LeBron James, loser comeback

The Cavaliers spoiled LeBron James' homecoming, inflicting a severe defeat on the “King” of the Sixers 119-95 in Cleveland.

The best scorer in NBA history was acclaimed where he made his debut (2003 to 2010) then where he won the title, in 2016. But the local star was limited to 8 points (3 successful shots out of 12), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 interceptions, with... 6 turnovers.

“I didn't feel in a good rhythm in attack (...). We weren't very convincing offensively. We had a few shocks. We managed to reduce the gap in the third quarter. But I lost too many balls,” admitted the four-time NBA champion.

Jaylen Brown (20 points) did not prevent Donovan Mitchell's gang (23 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists) from ending Philadelphia's series, still first in the East with eight victories.

The Ogre Doncic

In the race for MVP, Luka Doncic keeps scoring points, literally.

The Slovenian planted 53 on Friday to give the Los Angeles Lakers victory against Portland 124-118. Doncic closed the first half with a stunning shot from well beyond half court, bringing the Lakers within seven points and setting the tone for their second-half comeback.

He has scored at least 40 points in six of his last seven games and joins Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant and George Mikan as Lakers players to have scored 40 or more points in four consecutive regular-season games.

“I'm having a lot of fun,” the 27-year-old said matter-of-factly after the match. With an average of 38.5 points, he is the best scorer at the start of the NBA season.

50/50 for the French

With the Wizards, the French Alex Sarr (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Bilal Coulibaly (9 points, 5 rebounds) failed against Atlanta (132-139).

Same outcome for the Hornets of Tidjane Salaün against Boston (80-119), with 13 points and 4 rebounds, for a 3/11 shooting. Zaccharie Risacher was discreet with the Mavericks (4 points, 4 rebounds) but Dallas still won 112-100 against the Utah Jazz.

Veteran Rudy Gobert did better, winning with the Timberwolves against the Pelicans (115-109) with 8 points and 11 rebounds.