NBA Wrap: Giddey’s Thunder the big winners after reigning champs’ stunning collapse against Spurs
Victor Wembanyama scored 34 factors because the San Antonio Spurs shocked the Denver Nuggets 121-120 to upend the race for the No. 1 seeding within the NBA Western Conference.
French rookie Wembanyama, who has produced a blinding debut season within the NBA regardless of taking part in on a struggling Spurs staff, was excellent as soon as once more as San Antonio pulled off a outstanding victory over the reigning NBA champions.
The 20-year-old from Paris led an injury-hit Spurs line-up to complete with 34 factors, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and two blocks, underscoring his repute as essentially the most thrilling expertise to land in NBA since LeBron James.
The end result delighted San Antonio’s veteran coach Gregg Popovich, who noticed his staff get well from a 23-point deficit early within the third quarter to grab victory.
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“Really proud of them, they played a great second half but they’ve done that all year — they don’t give in,” Popovich stated of his staff.
“Obviously with a lot of guys not there, we had a lot of people step up. Victor’s Victor — he did a lot of good things. But it couldn’t have happened without everybody else.
“Everybody contributed, they deserved it. They should all go get a beer, or a Coke, or whatever they do.”
Denver in the meantime have been left questioning the place all of it went mistaken after 35 factors from Jamal Murray and 22 factors from Nikola Jokic.
Denver went into the sport in Texas realizing that wins of their closing two video games would assure them high seeding from the West.
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However the loss towards the staff that’s backside of the convention with a 21-60 document leaves every little thing hanging within the steadiness heading into Sunday’s closing common season fixtures.
The Nuggets (56-25) at the moment are third behind Oklahoma City, who pummeled the Milwaukee Bucks 125-107, and Minnesota, 109-106 winners over Atlanta.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 factors whereas Chet Holmgren added 22 for the Thunder, who now faces a Dallas staff that’s more likely to relaxation its stars having already locked up the No.5 seed.
Josh Giddey (hip) missed Saturday’s recreation after changing into a late addition to the damage report.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Thunder — who’ve received 56 video games this season — are the youngest staff in NBA historical past to win 55 video games.
Saturday’s outcomes imply that leaders Oklahoma City, Minnesota and Denver are all degree on 56-25, guaranteeing the race for high spot and residential benefit will go all the way down to the wire.
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Elsewhere, Joel Embiid scored 32 factors because the Philadelphia 76ers saved their bid for an automated playoff berth alive within the Eastern Conference with a 125-113 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Orlando might have clinched a postseason berth with a win, however as a substitute now face a nervous finale to the season.
The Sixers have now received seven video games straight in a late season run that has coincided with Embiid’s return from a two-month damage layoff.
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player completed with 32 factors, 13 rebounds and 7 assists to shepherd Philadelphia to victory on the Wells Fargo Center.
Tyrese Maxey added 28 factors whereas Kelly Oubre Jr completed with 21. Franz Wagner led the Magic scoring with 24 factors.
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In Cleveland in the meantime, the Cavaliers punched their postseason ticket with a 129-120 defeat of the Indiana Pacers.
A 70-point first-half efficiency set the Cavs on the way in which to victory, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 33 factors and Jarrett Allen 24 from 11-of-12 capturing from the sector.
Cleveland improved to 48-33 with the win to guarantee themselves of a postseason ticket.
Indiana in the meantime are locked in a three-way scrap with Philadelphia and Orlando heading into Monday’s closing spherical of normal season fixtures. All three groups have similar 46-35 data as they chase the ultimate two automated playoff locations.
In Boston, the top-seeded Celtics bought again to successful methods with a 131-98 defeat of the Charlotte Hornets.
