By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Memphis Grizzlies overpowered the San Antonio Spurs, 128-109, in FedExForum to secure a 34th win in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season on Monday.
Coming off the bench, Spanish Santi Aldama put in six points and six rebounds over 21 minutes. On the wrong end, Polish Jeremy Sochan ended up with 14 points and Georgian Sandro Mamukelashvili had nine points, besides French Victor Wembanyama piling up 27 points, ten rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two steals.
“It just shows that they’re not here to waste time and they’re willing to take the next step on time,” said Wemby referring to his side securing the services of De’Aaron Fox via trade, “We’re moving forward. I think it’s a good step in the building of our future. I’m going to miss dearly my teammates.”
On the opposite side of the latest blockbuster trade, the Sacramento Kings edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-114, in Target Center. Lithuanian Domantas Sabonis chipped in a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double, but Ukrainian Alex Len did not play and French newcomer Sidy Cissoko was inactive. For the Wolves, French Rudy Gobert posted a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double and Bosnian Luka Garza scored four points.
“I think we need to have better starts,” reacted Gobert, “Tonight, we had a first quarter that put them in a good mood. When you start the game, you hit a lot of shots and get comfortable, we make them feel good. They have good players, very good offensive players.”
France enjoys more standout showings
In Spectrum Center, the Washington Wizards prevailed, 124-114, over the Charlotte Hornets. French Bilal Coulibaly stood out with a game-high 26 points with 9/16 field goals. Staying in the starting lineup instead of injured Alex Sarr (left ankle sprain), Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas posted a 14-point, 17-rebound double-double. Similar to fellow French rookie Sarr, Tidjane Salaun (illness) was ruled out by the Hornets, but Moussa Diabate combined five points with seven rebounds and Serbian Vasilije Micic recovered from left ankle soreness with 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo (right patella tendinopathy) among numerous absentees for the Milwaukee Bucks in Paycom Center, the Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a win, 125-96. Lasting 31 minutes, French reserve Ousmane Dieng tallied 21 points, while German Isaiah Hartenstein paired six points with 12 rebounds. Belgian Ajay Mitchell (right great toe surgery) and Serbian Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) remained sidelined.
Trae Young lifted the Atlanta Hawks to a 132-130 victory versus the Detroit Pistons with a go-ahead bucket in the final seconds of a thriller in Little Caesars Arena. With Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic (personal) and Swiss Clint Capela (back spasms) still unavailable, French Zaccharie Risacher scored 17 points and Czech Vit Krejci added 13 points. For the hosts, Italian Simone Fontecchio produced four points.