By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
It was not looking good for Victor Wembanyama. However, the French prodigy bounced back in style. Among other stunning plays, he put Reggie Bullock on the wrong end of the best highlight coming out of the 2023 NBA Preseason action on Wednesday.
Wembanyama dribbling through his opponent went viral, surrounding himself with even more excitement as the 2023-24 Regular Season inches closer. His 15 points, six rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist over 21 minutes pushed the San Antonio Spurs to the win, 117-103, against the Houston Rockets in Frost Bank Center. After missing the first five attempts from the field, he recovered ending up with 3/10 for the night.
The remaining European players guided by Gregg Popovich were topped by Turkish Cedi Osman throwing in ten points, five rebounds, and one steal. Polish Jeremy Sochan finished with six points, six rebounds, four rebounds, and one steal, Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili had four points, one steal, one assist, and one rebound, and French Sidy Cissoko grabbed one rebound.
For the Rockets, Turkish Alperen Sengun recorded five points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block. Also, Serbian Boban Marjanovic had two points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block.
Deni Avdija debuts, Jordan Poole pours in 41 points
Recovering from a back issue, Israeli Deni Avdija started for the Washington Wizards in his first preseason appearance. Recording two points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block shaped his contribution to the 131-106 victory versus the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Jordan Poole was the difference between the two sides with 41 points behind 10/19 field goals, including 6/12 triples.
Apart from Avdija, French Bilal Coulibaly also started. He delivered seven points behind 1/5 shots from the field, three rebounds, and three steals. Italian Danilo Gallinari chipped in seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and one block from the bench. On the opposite end, German Isaiah Hartenstein finished with nine points and five rebounds, and French Evan Fournier scored six points.
Stephen Curry wins it for the Warriors
Marking the comeback win with a game-winning three-pointer, Stephen Curry lifted the Golden State Warriors over the Sacramento Kings, 116-115, in Chase Center. He finished with a game-high 30 points lasting 31 minutes. Croatian Dario Saric added 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a key role off the bench. Spanish Usman Garuba did not play.
The Kings were in the lead most of the way. However, Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis nearing a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists was not enough in the friendly meeting of California organizations. Bulgarian Sasha Vezenkov produced five rebounds, one assist, and one block, and Ukrainian Alex Len had one block.
Nikola Jovic adds to European showings
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Miami Heat, 107-104, in Kaseya Center. Serbian Nikola Jovic tallied nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block over 24 minutes for the losing side.
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