“Vembanyama’s Grand Comeback in Paris: Jokić Compared to Chamberlain”
Vembanayama had a standout performance at Bercy, Photo: REUTERS
Viktor Vwembanjama made a stylish return to Paris, this time wearing a San Antonio jersey and leading his team to a 140:110 win over Indiana in the City of Light.
The French star shone brightly in Bercy, putting up 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks.
What about Nikola Jokić, who became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to replicate such a historic feat? The Somborian celebrated his seventh All-Star selection with his fifth consecutive triple-double in a Denver uniform, achieving each one before the final quarter.
He accumulated 132 points, 123 rebounds, and 35 assists in a closely fought 22-17 victory against Sacramento. Additionally, he registered two blocks and one steal while spending 37 minutes on the floor. This triple-double not only marked his fifth in a row but also the 150th of Jokić’s career.
The first in history…
He is only the second player in history to record at least 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 15 assists in a single game, a feat only Wilt Chamberlain accomplished back in 1968.
At the end of the third quarter, Jokić made a shot from near his team’s end of the court (more like three-quarter court)!
“I knew I was going to score as soon as I let the ball go,” the Serbian center remarked with an unflappable demeanor after his remarkable three-pointer.
On the opposing team, DeMar DeRozan led with 24 points, while Domantas Sabonis contributed 23 points along with 19 rebounds, and De’Aaron Fox chipped in with 17 points.
Nikola Vučević struggled as Chicago faced a tough defeat against the Warriors, who won 131:106. In his 30 minutes on the court against the team vying for a trade for him, Vučević managed only nine points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Vučević attempted a lackluster three-pointer (2-1), with a total of (9-4).
The results:
Indiana – San Antonio 110:140 (Maturin 24 – Vembanjama 30)
Orlando – Portland 79:101 (Wagner 20 – Simons 21)
Atlanta – Toronto 119:122 (Bogdanović 23 – Barnes 25)
Oklahoma – Dallas 115:121 (Williams 33 – Dinwiddie 28)
Milwaukee – Miami 125:96 (Lillard 29 – Herro 22)
Denver – Sacramento 132:123 (Jokić 35 – DeRozan 24)
Golden State – Chicago 131:106 (Curry 21 – LaVine 24)
LA Lakers – Boston 117:96 (Davis 24 – Porziņģis 22)
LA Clippers – Washington 110:93 (Powell 22 – Poole 24)
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