After struggling in his NBA 2K24 Summer season League debut in Las Vegas, Victor Wenbanyama scored 27 factors in his second recreation Sunday in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs.
The French teenager has excessive expectations because the No. 1 choose within the 2023 NBA Draft. He additionally took a crash course on what it is wish to be a sports activities movie star in America. Wenbanyama wasn’t even carrying a swimsuit for the primary recreation of NBA 2K24 Summer season League till he obtained tabloid fodder when he collided with pop star Britney Spears in Sin Metropolis final week.
A circus-like mess with Spears could not have made for a much less spectacular debut Friday evening in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets. However Wenbanyama bounced again with a a lot better general efficiency final evening in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers.
Wenbanyama is the frontrunner to win the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Yr at odds of -130, in line with the DraftKings’ NBA Awards Market.
Ice-cold Wenbanyama scored 9 objectives in debut
The Spurs confronted the Hornets of their NBA 2K24 Summer season League debut Friday evening. The sport was the most well liked present in Las Vegas, with extra tickets promoting for $200 on the secondary market. A full home packed the Thomas and Mack Middle to witness Wenbanyama for the primary time.
It is a particular second,” Wenbanyama advised reporters about his first match. “It is actually particular to put on that jersey for the primary time. It is such an honor.”
A nervous Wenbanyama seemed to be shedding time on protection within the first quarter, particularly in transition. He struggled to seek out his photographs offensively, making 2-of-13 photographs from the ground general, together with 1-of-6 3-pointers. He threw a couple of airballs from throughout the arc as he rushed for possession a couple of instances within the fourth quarter.
Wenbanyama completed his summer time league debut with 9 factors, eight rebounds, 5 blocked photographs and three assists.
“General, I feel he is achieved job,” Spurs summer time coach Matt Nielsen mentioned. “You possibly can inform his basketball IQ is elite.”
The Spurs defeated the Hornets 76-68 in a shoddy recreation during which each groups suffered offensively.
Wenbanyama drops 27 factors in second leg
On Sunday, Wenbanyama bounced again with one other sturdy efficiency of their second recreation of the summer time league. The Path Blazers defeated the Spurs 85-80, however once more all eyes have been on Wenbanyama.
I want I might have gained the match,” Wenbanyama mentioned. “I might have achieved extra to assist the group win video games. has actually come out on prime, and it reveals the character of the group.”
Wenbanyama had 27 factors, 12 rebounds and three blocks. He seemed fairly good offensively, making 9-of-14 ground photographs and 2-of-4 3-point photographs.
Wenbanyama performed tougher on protection in his second recreation. He had already confirmed his defensive prowess by recording eight blocked photographs in his first two video games. Along with his three blocked photographs on Sunday, he had numerous different photographs. He would have scored extra blocks had the Path Blazers not deliberately prevented him within the paint.
Rumors surfaced Monday that Wenbanyama could miss the remainder of Summer season League. In that case, it is as a result of the Spurs do not need to put their prime prospect vulnerable to damage.
Scoot Henderson, Armen Thompson out
Las Vegas has had dangerous luck for a number of of the lottery picks after struggling accidents in the identical recreation on Friday evening. The Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Path Blazers 100-99, however each groups misplaced prime draft picks.
Path Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, the No. 2 choose within the 2023 NBA Draft and a prime guard candidate within the rookie class, injured his proper shoulder within the third quarter of his NBA 2K24 Summer season League debut. Henderson did not return to the sport, however he had 15 factors, six assists and 5 rebounds earlier than being despatched off.
The scoot was nice,” mentioned Path Blazers summer time league coach Jonah Harsk. “When he comes into the paint with an offensive perspective, it is actually nice. And level guards are the primary line of protection, so choose him up close to the halfcourt within the backcourt and see what he can do in opposition to Armen Thompson.” I believed the stress was actually good and he performed with good momentum tonight.”
The Path Blazers will shut Henderson for the remainder of the summer time. Based on the DraftKings, Henderson’s odds of successful the NBA Rookie of the Yr are at present +400.
The Rockets chosen ahead Amen Thompson with the fourth choose within the draft. Thompson had 16 factors, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks and three steals in 28 minutes.
Thompson sprained his left ankle within the fourth quarter, ending his summer time league debut. An MRI revealed a grade 2 ankle sprain. The Rockets additionally plan to shut Thompson for the remainder of the summer time. Thompson has +2500 odds of successful Rookie of the Yr.
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