The latest slate of NBA action saw double-doubles from Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama, but a mixed bag in terms of results for their teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers could not eke out the win even as Luka Doncic tallied a double-double, while Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs drubbed the New Orleans Pelicans in NBA action on Sunday (PH time).
Over in Atlanta, Doncic’s 22 points and 11 boards were not enough as the Lakers fell flat against the Hawks, 122-102.
The Hawks pummeled the Lakers with a balanced attack that saw seven players finish in double-digit scoring. The all-around team effort gave Atlanta the win even without Trae Young, who injured his MCL, and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).
Atlanta blew the game wide open in the third quarter where the Hawks outscored the Lakers, 30-18. They also picked up the pace 22 fast break points compared to just eight for Los Angeles.
The Hawks led by as many as 30 points, which they achieved multiple times in the fourth quarter.
Mouhamed Gueye was the top scorer for the Hawks with his 21 points. Dyson Daniels added a double-double of 10 points and 13 assists. He also had eight rebounds.
Playing support for Doncic was Dalton Knecht, scoring 14 points. Los Angeles missed Austin Reaves, while LeBron James is still yet to make his season debut
The Lakers dropped to 7-3 as their five-game winning streak came to an end, while the Hawks improved to 5-5.
Wemby’s Spurs roll
Elsewhere, Wembanyama’s 18-18 stat line helped the Spurs drub the New Orleans Pelicans, 126-119, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
De’Aaron Fox made his season debut for the Spurs and finished with 24 points to support Wembanyama’s 18 points and 18 boards.
It was a wire-to-wire victory for the Spurs, who improved to 7-2 behind back-to-back wins.
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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.