In the MVP race, Victor Wembanyama has a 65-game lead

Seeing him string several matches in a row with such a low score has become a rarity for him. That night in Brooklyn, Victor Vembanyama was happy with a total of 12 points (3/9 shooting including 0/4 from distance) without having to score much as his team dominated the faceoffs.

The Frenchman already finished the previous match, against the Raptors, with the same total points (12 points at 3/12). ” He missed his usual shots. He will get through this. Apparently, his break was not as long as the others. We have almost 60 games. Teams were physical with him and we traveled a lot. And when we weren’t on the move, he was », notes Mitch Johnson.

The day before, its leader pointed out lack of sleep and energypartly related to a grueling visit to Los Angeles during “All-Star Weekend.” But the Texas superstar can hardly catch a break, as the demands of the MVP race leave little room for rest.

« I know I’m in MVP discussions. This is obviously one of my goals. And I think the main argument for that is the success of the team. So that’s a priority. But I am also aware that I will have to press the gas a little more during the last matches, in this last part of the season, to get this title », notice the interior.

I don’t want you to regret it

To get there, the Frenchman is aware that he has to reach this famous figure of 65 matches played. For the record, there is no “Wembi”. more than four “bonuses”. Although he has already missed 14 games, he has a “super wild card” in that the Spurs will play 83 games this season due to the NBA Cup Final.

« To be honest, that’s something I’ve thought about. Often. The first thing that comes to my mind, after the responsibility I have for my team, is to be present at all games, not to play half-heartedly. If I am available for the match, it has to be 100%. So, yes, it is something that is very important to me “, Vembanjama does not hide.

He finished last year with just 46 games after a deep vein thrombosis, compared to 71 during his freshman year and the Rookie of the Year trophy. So, not reaching this bar and therefore not being able to get trophies at the end of the season,” that would be missing… things. Over the course of my career, I would have potentially regretted certain things if I hadn’t played those 65 games. »

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.