Despite 27 points from its French leader, Washington was ruled by Cleveland while San Antonio dominated Portland.
The Frenchman from the Washington Wizards Bilal Coulibaly equaled his best performance in terms of points with 27 units, but fell harder against the Cleveland Cavaliers (115-105), the best team at the start of the season. Coulibaly, who had scored little in recent weeks, was particularly skillful (5 out of 8 from distance) and very present with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Alexandre Sarr, number 2 in the draft in June, contributed with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Opposite, Darius Garland scored 24 points (5 rebounds, 8 assists) to offer a 22nd success to the Cavaliers.
Victor Wembanyama was San Antonio’s top scorer (28 points) for a success in Portland (118-116) acquired in the final seconds after coming back from 17 points behind in the last quarter. The Frenchman (7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks) was particularly solid on the free throw line at 10 out of 10, the last two of which gave the victory to the Spurs 2 seconds from the siren.
Joel Embiid hit in the face
While Philadelphia seemed to have found some momentum recently, the 76ers lost at home to Indiana (121-107), and once again showed bad luck as Joel Embiid came out, hit in the face. The 2023 MVP pivot, who missed 17 of his team’s 23 games this season, was hit in the face while fighting for a rebound against Bennedict Mathurin during the 2nd quarter, before leaving for good. Without him, Philadelphia suffered against Tyrese Haliburton (32 points, 11 rebounds), finally in his legs. The 76ers have 7 wins and 16 losses this season.
Minnesota defeats the Lakers
Deprived of LeBron James, resting during this period of a lighter schedule with the NBA Cup, the Los Angeles Lakers were dominated by the Minnesota Timberwolves (97-87), led by Anthony Edwards (23 points) and Julius Randle (21 points) . Opposite, Anthony Davis was close to a triple-double (23 points, 11 rebounds). Wolves French pivot Rudy Gobert compiled 12 points and 13 rebounds. In another duel of contenders in the West, the 2023 champion Denver largely beat the Los Angeles Clippers (120-98), despite a more discreet Nikola Jokic than usual (16 points, 7 rebounds).
