Early NBA Notes: Wembanyama Powers Unbeaten Spurs, Reaves Lifts Injury-Hit Lakers, Pacers Adapt to Short Roster
SLUG: early-nba-notes-wembanyama-spurs-reaves-lakers-pacers
CONTENT:
San Antonio — A 5-0 opening burst has moved the San Antonio Spurs into the early contender conversation, with rookie center Victor Wembanyama already drawing MVP buzz. According to ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the 7-foot-4 standout ranks as the league’s No. 2 player on a per-possession basis in Pelton’s wins-above-replacement metric.
The franchise’s first 5-0 start was highlighted by a season-opening rout of Dallas. Pelton noted that the schedule remains light until San Antonio meets Houston in next Friday’s NBA Cup group opener, the team’s first game against an opponent that won more than one playoff contest last spring.
ESPN colleague Zach Kram added that Wembanyama’s player efficiency rating sits at 30.7 through six games. Historically, teams with a player topping a 30 PER have averaged 53.5 victories.
Short-Handed Lakers Keep Winning
Los Angeles continues to collect wins despite missing multiple stars. On Monday the Lakers defeated Portland without LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Kram wrote that Reaves has flourished in three games played without Doncic, scoring 51 against Sacramento, 41 versus Portland and 28 with a buzzer-beater against Minnesota. He is averaging 31.1 points and 9.3 assists overall.
The guard’s breakout arrives as he approaches unrestricted free agency, a development that could influence the Lakers’ future payroll. Kram questioned whether Reaves could fill the sidekick role previously shouldered by Jalen Brunson and Kyrie Irving on deep Dallas postseason runs, noting that James’ ongoing absence with sciatica has opened the door for a new backcourt hierarchy.
Pacers Lean on Youth Amid Injuries
In Indiana, a rash of injuries has pushed forwards Aaron Nesmith and Jarace Walker into larger offensive roles. Both players are logging career highs in field-goal attempts, head coach Rick Carlisle told the Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak.
“We have a lot of guys who are playing unusual positions,” Carlisle said, adding that the group’s “spirit is good” while adjustments continue.
The Pacers will rely on that adaptability as the roster shuffles through the early part of the schedule.
Source: Hoops Wire
