Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs won their game this Saturday against the Washington Wizards 127-131 with a comeback in the final minutes led by the French center.
Two of the worst teams in the NBA this season - only the Detroit Pistons have worse numbers - met at the Capital One Arena in Washington, each having added only 7 victories to date.
The best of the Spurs (8-34) was Wembanyama, who returned after missing the Charlotte game due to rotation and who led to the final comeback, with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks.
Wembanyama's return to the court after a few minutes of rest and two timeouts by Popovich made the Texans react after the Wizards achieved a maximum of 12 (121-109). With a 0-12 run capped off with a three-pointer from Wembanyama in two minutes and 55 seconds, the Spurs tied the score at 121 with 2:05 remaining.
Another triple, this time by Jeremy Sochan, put the Spurs ahead (125-126) at 00:53; two free throws made by Marvin Bagley III and answered by Sochan with his trademark one-handed shot left the score at 127-128 with 29 seconds left. The Wizards missed their next two attacks and the Spurs left the final score at 127 to 131.
Despite the victory in the federal capital, the Spurs remain the worst team in the Western Conference, while the Wizards are second to last in the East, above the Pistons.
On the other hand, the Memphis Grizzlies, with Spanish Santi Aldama as the starter in Taylor Jenkins' quintet, fell 125-96 this Saturday in the field of a Chicago Bulls renewed in recent weeks and established in postseason positions.
It was the second consecutive loss for the Grizzlies, who had lost two days earlier at the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves. Those from Memphis will now visit the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat before returning to the FedEx Forum. Aldama finished his game with five points, eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks in 27 minutes on the court.
The United Center duel saw Scottie Pippen Jr's debut with the Grizzlies jersey in the city where his father, Scottie Pippen, made history alongside Michael Jordan with six NBA championship rings.
