By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After winning it all at the buzzer two nights ago, Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to another impressive victory against Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns, which were beaten 132-121 on their home court.
The 1st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft had his career high in scoring with 38 points – 3rd-most in a game by a Spurs rookie all-time, reaching David Robinson – while also grabbing 10 rebounds with 15/26 from the field.
He is now the first player with 100 points and 10 blocks in their first five career games since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992. “He’s a multi-faceted player. he’ll pass to the open guy- He’s got confidence in himself. He made some plays that were unbelievable. That combination is pretty good”, Gregg Popovich commented on the French star.
He was joined by his Polish teammate Jeremy Sochan, who went close to a double-double himself with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Cedi Osman scored 13 points off the bench.
On the other side, this game marked the return of Devin Booker, who shone in the defeat with an almost triple-double in his losing effort with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists. Kevin Durant followed with yet again 28 points and 6 rebounds after trying to keep Phoenix alive in the previous loss, while Jusuf Nurkic scored only 7 points.
Paolo Banchero’s night against the Utah Jazz
Coming back from a pretty disappointing 2023 FIBA World Cup, Paolo Banchero shut down the critics with a 30-point (with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) performance in the 115-113 win by the Orlando Magic against the Utah Jazz, providing the decisive layup as well.
His German teammate Franz Wagner added 21 points and 5 rebounds in the making, and his brother Moritz delivered 10 points off the bench. On the losing end, Lauri Markkanen had 22 points and 7 rebounds, while Omer Yurtseven provided 7 points and 3 boards. Simone Fontecchio was scoreless.
Despite Dennis Schroder’s double-double of 13 points and 10 assists, the Toronto Raptors lost 114-99 on the road in Philadelphia, where Joel Embiid was dominant for the 76ers with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. O.G. Anunoby scored 16 for the Canadians, while Furkan Korkmaz added 10 in his team’s home victory.
Finally, Jonas Valanciunas had a pretty good look leading the New Orleans Pelicans to the 125-116 win at home against Detroit, performing a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds with 5 assists as well. Killian Hayes spent 39 minutes on the court for the Pistons, having 10 points and 9 assists.
Paolo Banchero with the clutch go-ahead bucket 🔥pic.twitter.com/6HI7qUuyZT
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) November 3, 2023
NBA Night Results
Philadelphia 76ers – Toronto Raptors 114-99
New Orleans Pelicans – Detroit Pistons 125-116
Utah Jazz – Orlando Magic 113-115
Phoenix Suns – San Antonio Spurs 121-132
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images