Young NBA stars LaMelo Ball and Victor Wembanyama on fire
LaMelo Ball reminded everyone of his abilities in a staggering final-quarter display, while Wemby fever rolls on.
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LaMelo Ball couldn’t have done much more.
The Charlotte Hornets’ superstar exploded with a 30-point triple-double, but his side still narrowly went down to the Mavericks in Dallas 124-118 on Monday (all times AEDT).
It included Ball scoring 23 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter alone on 8-for-9 shooting (5-for-6 from downtown) to try to will the Hornets home, but the visitors’ comeback bid came up short.
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With it, Ball joined Anthony Mason and Baron Davis as the only players in Charlotte history to post a 30-point triple-double, with Davis most recently doing so in 2002.
Ball’s full line included 10 rebounds, 13 assists, a steal and a block before he fouled out with 2.8 seconds left in the ball game when it was all but over.
Mark Williams posted a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double and PJ Washington added 20 points for a Hornets team that was missing Terry Rozier as it fell to 2-4 on the season.
Luke Doncic (23 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists), Kyrie Irving (18 points, 10 assists) and Derek Livel (15 points, 15 rebounds) led the way for the Mavericks and Josh Green put up seven points in 24 minutes off the bench,
Dallas improved to 5-1 overall in the franchise’s best start to a season since 2004/05.
LaMelo in the loss:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 6, 2023
30 PTS
10 REB
13 AST
The first 30-point triple-double by a Hornet since Baron Davis in 2002. https://t.co/htoSVkohQn
SPURS BLOW 22-POINT LEAD AS WEMBY WOWS AGAIN
The San Antonio Spurs blew a 22-point lead in a 123-116 overtime loss to the Scottie Barnes-led Toronto Raptors as Victor Wembanyama continued his epic start to his career.
The Spurs had all control in the first half including a 54-32 lead just before halftime and even being up by as much as 15 at the end of the third.
But Toronto went on an absolute surge in a dominant 39-24 final quarter, culminating in OG Anunoby’s put back shot forcing OT at 110-110.
The Raptors took that form into the extra period, pushing ahead by six after consecutive buckets to Anunoby and Jakob Poetl.
Anunoby and Barnes iced the win with free throws inside the last 16 seconds.
Two air-balls. One play. https://t.co/32sy90Rrntpic.twitter.com/Yl1W3ZBAhD
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 5, 2023
Too easy for Wemby pic.twitter.com/XGLftE0R7j
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 5, 2023
Keldon Johnson CLUTCH AGAIN
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 5, 2023
High-risk pass by Victor Wembanyama near the end of the shot clock but it worked out pic.twitter.com/so12JXdKVu
it was a really good try. pic.twitter.com/PPBS9ecbui
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 5, 2023
Barnes was his side’s best in a massive outing, racking up 30 points, five triples, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks, while Anunoby and Dennis Schroder chipped in 24 points apiece.
Wembanyama meanwhile tallied 20 points, two threes, nine rebounds, four assists and five blocks including several exciting plays, particularly on the defensive end.
With it, Wembanyama became the first San Antonio rookie with 20 points and five blocks in a game since Tim Duncan, per StatMuse.
Not bad company for the French phenom.
Keldon Johnson’s 26 points led the way for San Antonio, which was without Devin Vassell (groin), and Zach Collins added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The result saw Toronto improve to 3-4 overall, while San Antonio had its two-game winning streak in Phoenix snapped.
Anunoby had a hilarious reaction to No. 1 pick Wembanyama after the game, labelling the 2.24m star “too tall”.
OG's description of Wemby?
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) November 6, 2023
Two words: "Too Tall" 😂 pic.twitter.com/jNaDi7Fthh
DEVASTATING CJ INJURY OPENS DOOR FOR DANIELS
The New Orleans Pelicans have confirmed star guard CJ McCollum has been diagnosed with a small pneumothorax in his right lung after undergoing tests on Monday.
The team statement confirmed the 32-year old would undergo further evaluation over the next 48 hours to determine the next steps.
McCollum suffered the same injury in 2021 while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, sidelining him for 18 games.
This is an insane pic to post with the news 😂 https://t.co/wcjiOKRvhh
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) November 5, 2023
The sad setback opens the door for Aussie young gun Dyson Daniels, who’s been serving as New Orleans’ first guard off the bench, to play more minutes.
Daniels has averaged 6.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists, one steal and 0.7 blocks in 22.8 minutes off the bench this season for the 4-2 side.
The banged up Pelicans are already without Trey Murphy (left meniscus), Jose Alvarado (right ankle sprain) and Naji Marshall (right knee contusion).
In other games, Kevin Durant scored 41 points to lead the Phoenix Suns over Detroit and former Suns coach Monty Williams on Monday.
the Cleveland Cavaliers sparkled as well, snapping a 12-game regular-season losing streak to Golden State dating back to Christmas 2016.
Durant added five assists, four rebounds, three blocked shots and a steal to power the Suns past the host Pistons 120-106.
“He was terrific, scored the ball every way you can, really wants it,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said.
“Just a really terrific performance. He’s really good at basketball and he showed it tonight.”
The Suns outscored Detroit in every quarter as Eric Gordon contributed 21 points and eight assists for Phoenix, which snapped a three-game losing skid.
“We’re excited because we finally got a win,” Durant said.
Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points in the first regular-season matchup between the Suns and their former coach Williams.
After Williams was fired as the Suns’ coach following a second-round playoff exit last season, Detroit signed him to a six-year deal worth $78.5 million.
The Suns were without Bradley Beal, sidelined by back spasms, and Devin Booker, out with a calf strain.
Originally published as Young NBA stars LaMelo Ball and Victor Wembanyama on fire
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