The Phoenix Suns are hosting the San Antonio Spurs in what might be both team’s final game of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, with a big win potentially opening up a wild-card spot for one of the teams. The Suns are in control with a 52-39 halftime lead, with forward Kevin Durant creating an iconic highlight against Victor Wembanyama on the perimeter.
Durant was dribbling on the perimeter with Wembanyama face-guarding him, prompting Durant to pull off a hesi-crossover which had the 7’4″ Spurs center absolutely lost as Kevin went up for the easy layup to convert the possession into a bucket.
Durant with the drive by past Wemby for 2 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hRyF8AXdX7
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 4, 2024
Durant had 13 points (5-8) while Wembanyama had 0 points (0-8 FG) at halftime. Phoenix has found a way to shut Wembanyama out of the game by aggressively switching players onto him and ensuring he can’t get to his spots for easy buckets. The rim has been closed off entirely, with Durant individually doing a great job defending the Spurs center.
Wembanyama entered this game averaging 31.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in his last six games, showing that his sophomore season might just be the time for him to make the leap to All-Star. Durant is averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on the season, having missed seven games due to injury before recently making a return.
The Suns are 10-2 with Durant in the lineup this season, so it’s fair to say he’s been one of the best players in the NBA this season.
The Spurs, Suns, and Thunder all have two wins and one loss in the Emirates NBA Cup Group B. One of the two teams can secure qualification as the group winner tonight while the other will hope to score enough points to secure the West wild card spot.
The OKC Thunder look on-pace to seal a nearly 30-point win over the Utah Jazz, which will likely lock them into being the group winner and advancing to the next round. The winner of Spurs vs. Suns has a good shot at becoming the Wild Card team, with leading contenders for the spot, the Dallas Mavericks, currently losing to the Memphis Grizzlies.
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