San Antonio New generation of talent Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James took on the Spurs on Friday to beat the understaffed Lakers 129-115 to end an 18-game losing streak.
When James was sidelined with a calf injury on Wednesday, the 19-year-old was already in an epic big man battle with Anthony Davis.
This time, Davis (hip) sat down and James spoke.
The end result: At the Frost Bank Center, with 1 minute and 48 seconds remaining, the Spurs starters walked up to the bench to a standing ovation.
The team's record slump is finally over.
Here are five takeaways from this game.
1.Wembanyama started center forward for the fourth game in a row.
The team listed the rookie as a forward, and Wembanyama mentioned that the best way to help the Spurs "for me" is to "don't put me in the box."
However, after playing as a power forward in the first 19 games, he has now played as a center in four consecutive games.
Don't overdo it. Experiments reign the day.
The Spurs continue to use a lineup of Wembanyama and four outside players, and Friday's game was no different in finding the best on-court combination.
I don't think he's the No. 5 player," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. 'He's scored on the wings, at the top, in the box and in the paint. He's everywhere and aggressive. If you want to call him a five, that's the guy he defends. ”
We're already seeing signs of progress centered around Wembanyama. He has averaged 19 per game in the last four games8 points, 165 rebounds and 43 caps.
The rookie has also played a major role in the improvement of the club's defence.
In the last 10 games leading up to Friday's game, the Spurs have risen to 12th place in defensive efficiency (114 per 100 possessions).2 points), which is mainly due to Wembanyama's 8-foot reach.
2.The Wambi-LeBron matchup was uneventful.
Davis' matchup with Wembanyama on Wednesday was even more exciting than Friday, with the two big men combining for 67 points and 23 rebounds to help the Lakers win 122-119 a>
But at the end of the second quarter, 18,354 spectators got a glimpse of a generation of superstars who entered the league 20 years apart. James found himself receiving the ball in the bottom corner against Wembanyama, who is 7'4" tall.
No problem. The 38-year-old stepped back 23 feet to give Los Angeles a 66-60 lead.
Just wanted to get his hands down a little bit because I knew his wingspan," James said. "I tried to create more space and shoot a little higher. ”
Wembanyama admits that at that moment, the collective eyes of the Frost Banking Center were focused on him.
It was a shot with a very high arch," he said.
The rookie is expected to feel star-studded against four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP James. Once the game started, the 19-year-old focused solely on the action on the pitch.
No, I don't feel anything on the field," Wembanyama said.
The rookie said the stars didn't talk after the game.
3.Anthony Davis' advice to Wimby: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself".
Earlier this week, Davis expressed sympathy for Wembanyama's status as a generational talent tasked with turning the team's fortunes around.
As the No. 1 overall pick in 2012, Davis entered the league with heavy expectations. But the 30-year-old says the experience at London 2012 has eased the shift. That summer, Davis played with James for an American team consisting of veterans Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony.
You're going to have ups and downs," Davis said Tuesday after the Lakers' loss to Dallas. "But don't put pressure on yourself because of other people's pressure. You have to know what your team wants from you and don't think you can turn the team around in the first year. ”
Davis yelled at James in the visiting locker room, "What did you do in your rookie year?".”
James replied, "To what extent?"”
Playoffs," Davis said.
James was "having a lot of fun in Cancun" during that time.
The NBA's all-time scoring champion proves Davis' point.
Even the greatest player of all time didn't do that in his rookie season," Davis said. "So, I think you just have to take your time, take your time, and your game will get better and better. ”
4.Tottenham will not close the door to potential signings.
You've heard it before, but the Spurs lack depth at the back. Tre Jones is the only traditional point guard on the roster, and he's off the bench.
When asked about completing a potential move by the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Popovich mentioned, "We have what we have, and that's what we're going to work with." ”
This is not entirely true.
While the struggling Spurs have done everything they can to develop second-year forward Jeremy Sochan as a point guard, the team plans to keep an open mind when the ideal trade scenario materializes.
Any potential move will take into account the long-term rather than the current situation. Individual development and team philosophy remain the focus of the season.
"But if there's a deal that makes sense now or in the long term, of course we'll consider it," Popovich said. General Manager] Brian Wright and his men may already be doing just that. ”
5.Wembanyama equalled Dwight Howard's record of two doubles.
On Friday, Wembanyama scored his seventh straight double-double in just three quarters, tying Dwight Howard for the most consecutive double-doubles among a teenager in NBA history.
Wembanyama had 11 points and 12 rebounds in the first three quarters as the Spurs led 98-87 into the final inning. The rookie finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.
Howard's second season in Orlando set a record for a 19-year-old, scoring seven consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 5 to Nov. 19, the last of which occurred 19 days before his 20th birthday.
As for Wembanyama, the latest milestone doesn't mean much compared to the Spurs winning their first game in 43 days.
Of course, I don't want to lose again, but it happens," he said. "We just have to enjoy these moments because I'm obsessed with winning. That's what I'm passionate about, and that's what I'm living for. ”