Santi Aldama played his first game as a starter in the NBA on Wednesday and shone with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Memphis Grizzlies, who scored their first victory of the season against the New York Knicks in overtime (115 -112).
With the absence of the injured Jaren Jackson Jr., Aldama was part of the Grizzlies' starting lineup and left very good feelings with 7 of 14 shooting from the field (3 of 8 on triples), an assist, a steal and a cap without turnovers in 39 minutes.
In addition, the Spaniard had the best rating /- (statistical plus/minus) of his team with 18. Aldama excelled in defense and rebound protection, but he also left fantastic plays in attack such as a great dunk on Julius Randle in the third fourth.
Aldama's mate, to a pass from Steven Adams, raised the entire Memphis bench but the referees called a technique on the forward for 'taunting' (provocation) Randle in celebration.
Taylor Jenkins, coach of the Grizzlies, praised Aldama in statements to the American broadcast, assured that he is playing "with a lot of confidence" and, among other things, praised his attitude and energy on defense.
Considered one of the most powerful teams in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies were carried away in their first game of the season by their star Ja Morant, who had 34 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists. For the New York Knicks, the top scorers were Julius Randle (24 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists) and Cam Reddish (22 points and 5 rebounds).
The Grizzlies were leading by 19 points in the third quarter but the Knicks rallied to take the lead in the fourth quarter. After Reddish's 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining tied the game for the New Yorkers, Morant hit a basket on an acrobatic buzzer-beater but the referees called an offensive foul and the game went into overtime. There, a triple by Tyus Jones was key for the Grizzlies, who definitively surrendered to the Knicks.
This is the second season in the NBA for Aldama, 21 years old and who last year managed 4.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists in an average of 11.2 minutes per game.
Aldama is expected to have a greater role this year in a Grizzlies that last year were one of the sensations of the NBA when they reached the semifinals of the Western Conference, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.
