Three French playing for the same NBA franchise? We hadn’t seen this since the formation of the trio Tony Parker – Boris Diaw – Nando De Colo, who worked for the San Antonio Spurs between 2012 and 2014 (De Colo then joined Toronto during the 2013-2014 fiscal year) . Friday night, Théo Maledon, Olivier Sarr and Jaylen Hoard all three donned Oklahoma City Thunder tunics. A nice surprise for the third named, recalled during the day from G-League – the antechamber of the NBA – in order to sign a ten-day contract which will allow him to finish the season in the NBA. Moreover, Sarr’s former teammate at Wake Forest University directly took advantage of the opportunity: inserted in the starting lineup – a first in his career – Hoard stood out by grabbing 20 rebounds, for 11 points, 3 assists and 2 blocks.
OKC coach Mark Daigneault praised the level of preparation of the latest arrival: ” We needed his minutes tonight. And I appreciate its toughness. Always. It’s something that has always been constant with him since he entered our gymnasium. »
Hayes – Maledon, duel of “scoring” leaders
Facing the trident, Killian Hayes and the Detroit Pistons still won (110-101), in a game where defensive intentions did not predominate. Which allowed this nice observation: the four Frenchies all pulled out of the game on the opposition of the penultimate of each conference. Hayes broke a new NBA personal best 26 points (12 of 25 shooting), accompanied by a big offensive production: 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. The resting after a few minutes of Cade Cunningham notably helped to free up the game of the former player of Cholet, used 40 minutes.
Facing him, Maledon confirmed his very good form at the moment by slamming 28 points (10 out of 22 shooting), a new personal best this season (his best mark is 33), without forgetting, too, to play his team (6 rebounds, 6 assists 1 steal and 2 blocks). Finally, Olivier Sarr, used off the bench (30 minutes), contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
On all other matches of the night, alone Frank Ntilikina made a brief appearance on the floor for the Dallas Mavericks (3 minutes, 2 points and 1 rebound). Nicolas Batum (Los Angeles Lakers) was preserved (ankle) whileYves Pons was not requested by the Memphis Grizzlies, still deprived of Killian Tillie (knee).
