The San Antonio Spurs overturned a 12-point deficit as Victor Wembanyama was reintroduced to the match with six minutes remaining, with the French rookie decisive as they claimed a win over the Wizards. Elsewhere on Saturday, Joel Embiid hit 33 points and made 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Charlotte Hornets 97-89. Alperen Sengun starred as the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz.

Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama hopes to start playing back-to-back games for the San Antonio Spurs after helping them to a 131-127 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

The French rookie has been on a minutes restriction and kept from consecutive appearances after he sprained his ankle three times in less than two weeks.

The Spurs were trailing by 12 points heading into the final five minutes of the game, and Wembanyama was put back on the court with just under six minutes remaining.

A 12-point run by the Spurs, with Wembanyama sinking three shots including a three-point, spurred them on to victory.

It was the youngster’s first game in two days and speaking after the win, he said he was finding it hard to sit out the action.

“Two days without playing feels like a week,” he said.

He added: “I think we were slow. I was very slow. My legs were heavy tonight. And getting some stops. We relaxed and I could feel the shift from all my team-mates – me included – in the fourth quarter and fortunately, it worked. Everyone was involved.”

The Frenchman scored 18 points in the second half, 24 overall, but also contributed eight rebounds, six blocks and four assists in a strong all-round performance.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich looked ahead at Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and said “perhaps after that” match, he would relax the restrictions on the youngster.

Elsewhere on Saturday night, Joel Embiid hit 33 points and made 10 rebounds as the 76ers prepared for their match-up with the Spurs by beating the Charlotte Hornets 97-89.

In a high-scoring 141-135 victory for the Milwaukee Bucks over the Detroit Pistons, Giannis Antetokounmpo fell just short of a triple-double, as he made 10 rebounds, scored 31 points and provided nine assists. Damian Lillard scored 45 points and offered up 11 assists and six rebounds.

Jalen Brunson scored 38 points, with five rebounds and nine assists, as the New York Knicks beat Toronto Raptors 126-100, while the Atlanta Hawks lost 116-95 to Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were helped by a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 33-point performance as they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-97.

Seven players reached double figures for the Chicago Bulls as they beat the Memphis Grizzlies 125-96.

Alperen Sengun’s 14 rebounds and 37 points was the standout performance for the Houston Rockets as they enjoyed a single-point, 127-126 victory against the Utah Jazz.

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