NBA – Victor Wembanyama falls on Anthony Davis and Lebron James, Cleveland unstoppable, Risacher wins

Victor Wembanyama, still hot, could not prevent San Antonio’s defeat against Anthony Davis’ Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland remained undefeated at the start of the season on Friday in the NBA. The day’s matches also counted for the group stage of the NBA Cup, the final four of which will take place from December 14 to 17 in Las Vegas.

After the successful card against Washington on Wednesday (50 points, his record), Victor Wembanyama maintained the pace with a full match against the Lakers (28 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks), attacked thoroughly (9 points after 4 minutes). The Frenchman delighted in the “lobs” of his teammates, but was barely less skillful from a distance (4 out of 13 at 30.8%), while keeping up the pace in defense on certain actions against the strong Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

But after a close end to the game, the Spurs ended up capitulating (120-115 for Los Angeles), after a decisive layup from LeBron James 25 seconds from time. The “King”, in his 22nd NBA season at age 39, scored a 4th triple double (15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists), a first in his immense career.

James played in his 1,504th NBA regular season game, tying John Stockton. This season he has the means to surpass Dirk Nowitzki (1,522), Vince Carter (1,541) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560), to get closer to Robert Parish’s record (1,611).

The Lakers were especially able to count on their pivot Anthony Davis (40 points, 12 rebounds), a major contributor to Los Angeles’ good start to the season (8 wins – 4 losses), who intends to defend his NBA Cup won last year. . With 11 passes for Spurs, Chris Paul (39) surpassed the 12,000 passes mark, the third player to reach this record after John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091).

Thanks to their success against the Chicago Bulls (144-126), the Cleveland Cavaliers won their 14th match in as many meetings since the start of the season. Sunday against Charlotte, they will have the opportunity to equal the second best start in league history, achieved by the Houston Rockets in 1993 and the Washington Capitals in 1948. The record belongs to the Golden State Warriors (24 wins in 2015).

Hooked by the Bulls (tied at 10:41 from time), the Cavaliers accelerated thanks to Donovan Mitchell, author of 18 points in the 4th quarter alone, for a total of 37 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, being well helped by Darius Garland (29 points).

During the third confrontation between Atlanta and Washington of the season, the Hawks finally won (129-117), led by Dyson Daniels (25 points) and De’Andre Hunter coming off the bench (22 points). The French No.1 of the draft in June Zaccharie Risacher contributed with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, appearing clumsy from afar (0 out of 4).

His compatriot Alexandre Sarr, No. 2 in the same draft, did well at the end of the match, when the gap was made, to reach 20 points (7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 interceptions, 3 blocks), a new record personnel in the NBA. Bilal Coulibaly added 9 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the Wizards who suffered a 7th consecutive defeat.

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the top-of-the-table duel in the Western Conference against the Phoenix Suns (99-83), with 28 points from Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to stay at the top of their conference.

The New York Knicks, despite having an 18-point lead at the start of the 4th quarter, were almost surprised at the end of the game by Cam Thomas’ Brooklyn Nets (43 points), who went in front 12 seconds from time, before that a long shot from Jalen Brunson (37 points) then a block from Miles Bridges offered victory to the Knicks in the New York “derby”. Despite the presence of Paul George (13 points) and Joel Embiid (20 points) the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a 9th defeat (2 wins) against Orlando (98-86).

The results of the night:

Indiana – Miami : 111-124

Orlando – Phiadelphie : 98-86

Toronto – Detroit: 95-99

Atlanta-Washington: 129-117

Cleveland – Chicago : 144-126

New York – Brooklyn : 124-122

San Antonio – LA Lakers : 115-120

Houston – LA Clippers : 125-104

New Orleans – Denver: 101-94

Oklahoma City – Phoenix: 99-83

Golden State – Memphis : 123-118

Sacramento – Minnesota: 126-130 (ap)