It is not yet known how long the tall Frenchman will take a break after the blow to the ribs.
Wembanyama was injured in the first half, after which the club announced via social media that the 22-year-old center would not return to the floor. In just under 16 minutes of play, the main candidate for the league’s best defensive player scored 17 points, with five rebounds and three blocks.
The Frenchman, including this match, played 64 games this season, which is one game or about 20 minutes less than the required minimum to apply for individual awards at the end of the regular season, including recognition for the league’s most valuable player.
In his absence, Stephon Castle was the most effective for the home team with 19 points, and he also recorded 10 rebounds and 13 assists for a triple-double performance. With the guests from Philadelphia, Joel Embiid was the best with 34 points and 12 rebounds.
At the top of the Western Conference and the entire league is still the Oklahoma City Thunder with a record of 62-16, while San Antonio has a game more and two wins less.
In the fight for third place, the Denver Nuggets (51-28) are getting better and better, who, after a turnaround in the last quarter and overtime, defeated the Portland Trail Blazers (40-39) with a score of 137:132.
Portland had a 17-point advantage in the last quarter, and four minutes before the end, it led by ten points. The home team still won overtime and had an attack to win, but Nikola Jokić missed the last shot in the regular part. In the extra five minutes, Denver was better and reached its ninth consecutive victory. Jokić finished the match with a new triple-double performance – 35 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.
In the standings, the Nuggets have won more than the Los Angeles Lakers (50-28), who will be without the injured Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves until the end of the regular season, but also for some time in the playoffs.
Right behind the Lakers, who expect a difficult duel against Oklahoma on Wednesday night, are the Houston Rockets (49-29).
In the East, the third-ranked New York Knicks (51-28) defeated the fifth-ranked Atlanta Hawks (45-34) 108:105. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points with 13 assists, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 36 points for the Hawks.
Orlando Magic (43-36) won an important victory in the fight for direct placement in the play-offs (among the first six), who defeated the East’s leading team Detroit Pistons (57-22) 123:107, who are still missing Cade Cunningham. The most effective for the Magic was Paolo Banchero with 31 points, while Desmond Bane added 25.
In the fight for sixth place, along with Orlando, there are also the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia with a score of 43-36, and the Toronto Raptors, who have a game less and a record of 43-35.
In the last meeting of the evening, the Cleveland Cavaliers (50-29) convincingly defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 142:126. More than 20 points were scored by Evan Mobley, Dennis Schröder and Sam Merrill, while Donovan Mitchell and James Harden were absent.
The regular part of the NBA season ends on the night from Sunday to Monday.
Results:
Atlanta Hawks – New York Knicks 105:108
Orlando Magic – Detroit Pistons 123:107
Memphis Grizzlies – Cleveland Cavaliers 126:142
San Antonio Spurs – Philadelphia 76ers 115:102
Denver Nuggets – Portland Trail Blazers 137:132 (overtime)
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
