05/28/26 10:06:00
Printable Page
05/28 22:05 CDT Wembanyama was all business in Game 6 of West finals. It earned
him and the Spurs a chance at Game 7
Wembanyama was all business in Game 6 of West finals. It earned him and the
Spurs a chance at Game 7
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
Victor Wembanyama looked different in Game 6. In every way.
There was the Shaolin robe that the San Antonio star wore to his home arena on
Thursday night, an obvious nod to his two-week stay last summer at a Chinese
temple he visited while seeking physical, mental and spiritual growth. There
was the freshly cropped hair, another sign that he was all business.
And on the court, he was back to his dominant self as well.
Facing an elimination game for the first time in his career, Wembanyama --- who
had a fiery pregame address for teammates, something he doesn't typically do
--- seemed as comfortable as could be. He had 28 points, 10 rebounds, three
blocks and two assists, on 10-for-21 shooting in 28 minutes, leading the Spurs
past the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 to tie the Western Conference finals at
3-3.
Game 7 is Saturday night in Oklahoma City, the place where Wembanyama started
this West title series with a 41-point, 24-rebound masterpiece that carried the
Spurs to a double-overtime win. If he gets another win on Saturday, he and the
Spurs will be heading to the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
From the outset, Wembanyama's imprint was on Game 6. After winning the opening
tip-off, his next three plays went like this --- made 3-pointer, blocked shot,
another made 3-pointer. The tone was set, and the Spurs never trailed.
He got most of the fourth quarter off, with the game having long been decided.
Game 6 wasn't over, but it's a safe bet that Wembanyama was already thinking
about Game 7. Harrison Barnes, the team's third-oldest player, was in
Wembanyama's ear during the fourth quarter on the Spurs' bench, offering some
wisdom. He spoke. Wembanyama nodded. Whatever the message was, it was clear.
The formula for this series held true again Thursday. When Wembanyama is the
most dominant player, the Spurs have won. When he isn't, they've lost. Good
hasn't been good enough --- in the three Spurs losses, he's averaged 22.3
points on 43% shooting. In the three Spurs wins, he's averaged 34 points on 51%
shooting.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
|
