The number one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama, made his first and only trip to D.C. this season on Saturday night as the Wizards hosted the Spurs, and Wemby did not disappoint.
In 28 minutes of action, Wembanyama, who is on a minutes restriction, had a game-high 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and six blocks and punctuated a 12-0 run in the fourth with a game-tying three with just over two minutes to go.
The teams went back and forth, and San Antonio took the lead for good after two Jeremy Sochan free throws with 28.6 seconds left. The Wizards had one last chance to tie, but Kyle Kuzma missed a three, and the Spurs would defeat the Wizards 131-127.
Washington (7-34) has lost three straight and nine of their last ten, and the Spurs (8-34) snap a four-game losing streak.
A big storyline coming into this game was Wembanyama going up against a familiar face on Saturday night. For the first time as pros, Wemby and fellow Frenchman and former teammate, Bilal Coulibaly, who the Wizards selected with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, faced off against each other.
Coulibaly had 14 points off the bench. After the loss, he discussed his excitement about playing against Wemby.
“It was a fun time,” said Coulibaly. “Just happy for each other. We grew up together playing with each other when we were like 12; now, we’re playing in the league against each other. Just loved the moment and can’t wait to win that next game.”
Wembanyama is proud of his former teammate and friend.
“Incredible,” Wemby said of playing against Coulibaly. “I’m so proud of him… It always makes me happy to see people I love make their dreams come true. it’s happening for more young French basketball prospects. I’m very grateful for this.”
Coulibaly did get a block on Wembanyamma, but he wanted more.
“I wanted to dunk on him,” Coulibaly said. Yeah, I had the block, so I’m happy with it.”
Leading up to their big matchup, Coulibaly said he would talk trash to Wembanyama in French so that no one would understand; according to him, he did not get much of a chance to do it, and unfortunately for Coulibaly, Wemby got the last laugh.
Before the game, we talked a little bit, but he got the dub,” Coulibaly said.
These two teams play again nine days(Jan. 29) from now, so Coulibaly will have an opportunity to get some revenge, but in the end, both players won because they are playing in the NBA.
Notes:
-Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III tallied 21 points (8-19 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists, and one steal for his second straight double-double and his third double-double of the season.
-Washington had seven players in double figures.
-The Jones brothers also went head-to-head. The Spurs’ Tre Jones had 11 points, eight rebounds, and 12 assists, while Tyus Jones had 13 points and six assists.
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