Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs start the NBA season 2-0 after an overtime escape against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Victor Wembanyama registered a near triple-double with blocks to power the San Antonio Spurs past the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime, 120-116, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday (PH time).
Wembanyama had a whopping nine blocks to go along his 29 points, and 11 rebounds. He also had two assists and one steal.
Devin Vassell played supporting role with 23 markers, while reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle added 16.
The back-and-forth affair saw 15 lead changes and 10 deadlocks, but it was all San Antonio in OT.
Before fouling out early in the extra period, Wembanyama scored on a dunk then had another block to dictate the pace in favor of the Spurs.
Wembanyama fouled out with 4:17 ticks left in the extra period.
Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans in the loss and had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists as they fell to 0-2.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers rode the coattails of Donovan Mitchell en route to a 131-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets to get into the win column at the Barclays Center in New York.
Mitchell had 35 points, two rebounds, and five assists.
KD’s big game for naught
Elsewhere, another big game for Kevin Durant resulted in a loss for the Houston Rockets as they fell against the Detroit Pistons, 115-111, at the Toyota Center in Texas.
Detroit’s bench mob proved pivotal as they got 43 points from their second stringers in the victory.
Former top pick Cade Cunningham finished with 21 points, seven boards, and nine assists to pace Detroit in an all-around team win.
Ausar Thompson added 19 markers.
The Miami Heat also pulled off a surprise against the Memphis Grizzlies in a dominating win, 146-114, thanks to Bam Adebayo’s 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Washington Wizards, for their part, nipped the Dallas Mavericks, 117-107.
Kyshawn George tallied 34 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists to pace Washington.
Other results saw the Sacramento Kings win over the Utah Jazz, 105-104, while the LA Clippers blew out the Phoenix Suns, 129-102.
James Harden had 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.