Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green is thankful he won't have to face Victor Wembanyama much longer as he nears retirement.
The NBA rookie scored 32 points, five assists and nine rebounds for the San Antonio Spurs, but couldn't stop his team losing 117-113.Green's 21 points, 11 assists and six rebounds were key in the Warriors' win. but he had a battle on his hands trying to limit the French player's impact.
Wembanyama's height and skill with the ball gave Green and the Warriors' defence a lot of trouble. But Green used his experience to make a play that secured the win for his team.
With just 10 seconds left, the ball bounced off the rim towards Green and Wembanyama. Even though the 20-year-old is taller, Green managed to outsmart him and then made one of his two free throws to seal the victory.
After the game, Green said he was glad he wouldn't have to spend much more of his career playing against such a "very special talent".
Man fined £165 after outraging the internet by dying puppy to look like Pikachu
"Vic finished with 32, so I can't give myself too much credit," said Green. "He is a very, very, very, very special talent. I was just telling [teammates] I'm happy I had the opportunity to play against him now because they'll have to deal with him a lot later and I won't be in the league no more, so that's good for me."
Wembanyama continued his impressive form, following his 40-point, 20-rebound performance against the New York Knicks on Friday. His 32 points on Sunday, with 18 in the fourth quarter, marked his second consecutive game with over 30 points.
Green also had a notable defensive play, stripping the ball from the rookie in an exciting battle. After the game, Steph Curry, who scored 33 for the Warriors on Sunday, was extremely impressed with Green's defensive plays.
Green and Stephen Curry combined for 54 points in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)"That's a fundamental, four-year college, high Division I-level type play that you learn through the ranks," said Curry about Green's defensive play. "I don't think any NBA coach teaches that."
Head coach Steve Kerr said: "That was a defensive masterpiece. The offensive board at the end with the Klay 3 - probably the play of the game. You watch that game, Draymond, he's a genius defensively."
The Warriors have had a tough season, but they've managed to win their last four games. They're hoping this will help them secure their spot in the Play-In tournament.
Currently, they're 10th in the Western Conference, just 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers who are in ninth place and two games ahead of the Houston Rockets who are in 11th.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
