Oklahoma City regained the lead in the Western Conference contested by four teams very close in the standings, and Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs lost by one point to the Pelicans on Friday in the NBA.
. Traffic jam ahead in the West
The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the unstoppable Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points, 9 assists), beat the Charlotte Hornets and regained the lead in the Western Conference from the Minnesota Timberwolves, with whom they share the same record ( 34 successes – 15 defeats). The Wolves fell at home (108-106) against the Orlando Magic of Paolo Banchero (23 points). Not selected for the All-Star Game, Rudy Gobert stood out with 22 points and 16 rebounds, in vain. The two leaders are closely followed by the Los Angeles Clippers who, with 32 wins and 15 defeats, are heading towards the top, with 15 wins in the last 18 matches. Friday, they won in Detroit (136-125) with 33 points from Kawhi Leonard. Champion Denver, who defeated Portland (120-108) with Nikola Jokic’s 120th triple-double (27 points, 22 rebounds, 12 assists), is just behind in the standings (34 wins – 16 losses).
Spurs lose by one point
Rudy Gobert, the French interior of the Minnesota Timberwolves, dunk against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA on January 31, 2024 in Minneapolis / David Berding / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Devin Vassell, from afar, missed the winning shot for a one-point defeat for the San Antonio Spurs against the New Orleans Pelicans (114-113). Victor Wembanyama scored a superb block on Zion Williamson a minute from time, allowing Spurs to regain the ball with a one-point lead. But a big end to the match from Williamson allowed the Pelicans, trailing almost the entire game, to get back in front with 4 seconds to go. Williamson finished as the game’s top scorer with 33 points and 8 rebounds, ahead of Vassell (28 points). Wembanyama was more discreet in scoring (16 points), but added 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks. The 20-year-old Frenchman distinguished himself before half-time with an acrobatic one-handed shot off-center, with the opposing pivot Jonas Valenciunas making a mistake.
. Phoenix countered by Atlanta
Zion Williamson, of the New Orleans Pelicans, shoots in front of Jeremy Sochan, of the San Antonio Spurs, in the NBA on February 2, 2024 in San Antonio / Ronald Cortes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Despite 73 points accumulated by its trio of stars (35 for Kevin Durant, 24 for Devin Booker, 14 for Bradley Beal), the Phoenix Suns remained short in Atlanta (129-120), led by an immense Trae Young (32 points, 15 assists), snubbed this week during selection for the All-Star Game. But two players from the East team are very doubtful (Joel Embiid and Julius Randle) for the All-Star game on February 18 in Indianapolis. Young can thus hope to be called in for reinforcement by commissioner Adam Silver.
