Guillaume Marion, Media365, published on Wednesday December 4, 2024 at 8:55 a.m.
Named “defender of the month” of the Western Conference, Victor Wembanyama was then unable to avoid the defeat of the San Antonio Spurs against the Phoenix Suns, which eliminated the Texan franchise from the NBA Cup.
Quite a symbol, Victor Wembanyama will forever be the first. Indeed, while the NBA has until now honored the best players, coaches and rookies each month, a reward now exists for defenders. And, as evidence, the Frenchman has been named best “defender of the month” in the Western Conference since the start of the seasonor for the few matches in October and the month of November. Best blocker in the league (3.6 blocks per match), but also 4th in contested shots (10.1 per match) and 8th in deflected balls (3.3 per match), “Wemby” logically been honored in this category, while Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) is the “defender of the month” of the Eastern Conference, he who is notably the best in interceptions (3 per game). On the other hand, Wembanyama and the Spurs were subsequently eliminated from the NBA Cup.
Wembanyama powerless, Jokic and Doncic on fire
Traveling to Arizona to challenge Phoenix, San Antonio was beaten (93-104) and will therefore not participate in the final phase of the competition. Author of a double-double (15 points 13 rebounds), but also 7 assists, the Frenchman was unable to avoid this defeat against the Suns. In the other meetings of the night, we will notably note the first double-double of Tidjane Salaün (10 points and 10 rebounds) during the defeat of the Charlotte Hornets (104-110), against the Philadelphia Sixers of Guerschon Yabusele (7 points and 12 rebounds). Finally, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic once again livened up the evening with two huge performances. While the Denver Nuggets were manhandled by the Golden State Warriors, the Serbian pivot (38 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists) did very hard to reverse the situation (119-115). For his part, the Slovenian (37 points and 12 rebounds) shone during the Dallas Mavericks’ victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (121-116).
BASKET – NBA CUP / PHASE FINALE
Quarter-finals
Tuesday December 10, 2024
Milwaukee Bucks – Orlando Magic
Oklahoma City Thunder – Dallas Mavericks
Wednesday December 11, 2024
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors
