San Antonio Spurs heart Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a rating in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball sport in San Antonio, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Picture/Eric Homosexual)
SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama had 26 factors and 11 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs routed Charlotte 135-99 on Friday night time, spoiling Hornets star LaMelo Ball’s return from a 20-game absence.
Wembanyama was 9 for 14 from the sphere, hitting 2 of three 3-pointers, and had two blocks in 20 minutes. San Antonio had 31 assists in successful consecutive video games for simply the second time this season.
“They appear like they’re starting to grasp learn how to play with one another,” coach Gregg Popovich stated.
Ball had 28 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals in his first sport since spraining his proper ankle Nov. 26 at Orlando.
LaMelo Ball and Victor Wembanyama battled it out in San Antonio ⚔️
Wemby: 26 PTS, 11 REB, 2 BLK, W
LaMelo: 28 PTS, 5 AST, 5 STL pic.twitter.com/AtZGkJFd1U— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2024
“It’s all the time good to play basketball, however not like that,” Ball stated. “However it was cool to get again on the market.”
The Spurs have been capable of sit their starters for many of the ultimate quarter whereas constructing a 36-point lead. San Antonio hosts Chicago on Saturday night time
Wembanyama won’t play in opposition to the Bulls, nonetheless, because the Spurs proceed to handle his minutes following a sprained ankle Dec. 23 in Dallas.
“We’re doing our greatest to have me on the courtroom as a lot as we will,” Wembanyama stated. “However they need to be sensible, and I’ve to hearken to them.”
Terry Rozier added 16 factors for the Hornets. Whereas Ball returned, Charlotte continues to be with out Gordon Hayward (strained left calf), P.J. Washington (sprained proper foot) and Mark Williams (bruised again).
Ball performed with out overlaying up the “LF” tattoo slightly below his left ear, which had achieved throughout video games earlier than his damage as a result of NBA guidelines prohibit exposing business logos on gamers’ our bodies. The “LF” initials are quick for LaFrance, which is the purpose guard’s center identify and his new clothes model.
For San Antonio, Doug McDermott had 14 factors, Jeremy Sochan 13 and Devin Vassell 12.
“I simply thought that we have been fairly strong on each ends of the ground and had good performances by an excellent variety of individuals,” Popovich stated.
A showdown between Wembanyama and Brandon Miller, the highest two picks within the NBA draft, fizzed when Miller bruised his decrease again after falling headfirst into the basket stanchion two minutes into the second quarter.
Spurs ahead Keldon Johnson was assessed a flagrant foul 1 after trying to disrupt Miller’s dunk try. Miller remained on the courtroom for a couple of minutes earlier than limping off to the locker room.
Wembanyama had consecutive alley-oop dunks adopted by a one-handed slam to open the second half. Wembanyama crossed up Nick Richards on the 3-point line, sprinted by the middle of the lane and threw down a right-handed dunk to place the Spurs up 75-48 two minutes into the second half.
The Spurs have confronted criticism on social media for not getting the ball to Wembanyama extra, however that wasn’t a problem in opposition to the Hornets.
“After all, I heard of (the criticism), however it’s by no means been near actuality,” Wembanyama stated. “It’s nothing to fret about. I’m not a traditional participant. I wanted time to determine how I need to play and the way I must play for the group. I suppose everybody wanted time to determine learn how to play with me.”
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NEXT SCHEDULE
Hornets: At Miami on Sunday night time
Spurs: Host Chicago on Saturday night time.
