NBA: monstrous performance for Wembanyama who devours Minnesota

On this Saturday night of Halloween in the United States, Victor Wembanyama terrified Minnesota with 43 points to offer a fourth NBA victory in a row to the Spurs, when the Philadelphia Sixers, deprived of LeBron James, won by forceps.

The 22-year-old Frenchman tried hard with a personal best of 34 shots attempted and half successful (17), plenty of one-on-ones and three baskets from behind the arc, to defeat the Timberwolves 121-111.

“After having played so many matches, literally hundreds now in the NBA, the brain knows in which match we can afford to have fun,” launched the tricolor after the meeting.

In addition to his 43 points, the second best total of his career (behind his 50 points in November 2024 against the Washington Wizards), Wemby grabbed 7 rebounds and made 6 blocks.

He was supported by Dylan Harper (25 points) and De'Aaron Fox (22 points) against opponents deprived of Frenchman Rudy Gobert, left to rest, and their star Anthony Edwards, recently operated on his knee.

LaMelo Ball wanted to take over, but only played 20 minutes and it was Ayo Dosunmu who tried to keep his team afloat (27 points), without success.

After two initial defeats (against Oklahoma and Houston), San Antonio, finalist last year, got back on the right path with this fourth victory.

“In bad shape”

The Philadelphia Sixers had more difficulty on Saturday, but ended up winning against Charlotte (109-104) thanks to their leader Tyrese Maxey and his 38 points.

LeBron James and Joel Embiid rested, Maxey carried the team at arm's length with 15 points in the final quarter to allow Philly to overcome a 13-point deficit.

“I don’t want to have to do this. I’m tired of doing it,” said the American, who hopes for other scenarios later within a “very competitive group, which never gives up”.

Anfernee Simons added 19 points off the bench and Jaylen Brown scored 16. Replacement Grayson Allen led the Hornets with 27 points, and Brandon Miller scored 24 in the loss.

With this sixth victory in seven games, the Sixers move to the top of the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Detroit Pistons.

In the West, Memphis remains the only undefeated team in the League.

The Grizzlies crushed Sacramento 136-105 thanks to Cameron Boozer with 27 points and despite Darius Acuff with 38 points for the Kings.

The Houston Rockets, who suffered their first defeat of the season in Dallas on Friday, were able to count on Jabari Smith's 30 points to win 119-98 at home against an Oklahoma City decimated by injuries.

“This defeat (in Dallas) put us in a bad place, so we didn't want to have a second one,” thundered the power forward. We wanted to go on the field ready to play, and that’s what we did.”

Houston relied on Marcus Smart's 24 points, Kevin Durant's 14 and Alperen Sengün's 16 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.