Victor Wembanyama expected to challenge the Thunder in the NBA Cup

For three years now, after set Las Vegas on fire from Boulogne-Levallois, Victor Vembanyama returns to “Sin City” with Spursfor the final four NBA Cup. Barring a last-minute comeback, we should see him back on the floor a month after his left calf strain.

For its sequel, “Wemby” will therefore face the best in the NBA: the Thunder, the current champion, who just tied the best start to a season in history (24-1) and who is on a 16-game winning streak!

But count Mitch Johnson to preserve his superstardom, as far as his playing time in this semi-final is concerned: “ All this is still being discussed, but they will get tired. He was already tired when I first saw him play in person against the guys in the video. So I expect to trade him quickly and not play his usual minutes. »

Frustration, but understanding

So there will always be without taking risks with Victor Vembanyam, close to returning early this week against the Lakers, but finally “out” for the quarterfinals. Seen in training in Las Vegas, ahead of the clash against Oklahoma City, the Frenchman was eager to return to competition.

« It was hard to watch (Spurs) from my couch » he admits. ” But there is a lot of trust on both sides. I know I’m lucky to be surrounded by the best staff in the world, so I trust him and he trusts me because I’ve shown that I know my body and give good feedback. But the truth is, if I were the only one to decide, I would have played again sooner. Although I also think it’s more reasonable to listen and do what I’m told, because there was no reason to recklessly take risks, just two days after my injury. I was almost never in pain, almost never even uncomfortable. But I just had to trust this whole process. »

Without your best player, Saint Anthony he has won nine of his twelve matches and therefore it will be necessary for Victor Wembanyama to reintegrate into a group that has performed quite well in his absence.

« We want him to be himself on the field » warns De’Aaron Fox. « We don’t want him to change the way he plays. We played extremely well without him, but his return will strengthen us in attack and defense. »

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.