{"id":768270,"date":"2022-12-12T10:55:07","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T15:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?p=768270"},"modified":"2022-12-13T10:30:15","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T15:30:15","slug":"nba-weekend-recap-the-warriors-are-still-dangerous-while-d-c-still-loves-john-wall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/news\/nba\/nba-weekend-recap-the-warriors-are-still-dangerous-while-d-c-still-loves-john-wall\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Weekend Recap: the Warriors Are Still Dangerous While D.C. Still Loves John Wall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In case you missed it, this weekend was packed with must-see matchups and performances from superstars across the League. The Golden State Warriors are still a legit title threat, and they proved that after flexing their championship DNA and beating the League-leading Boston Celtics; Joel Embiid is knocking on that MVP window after dropping a 53-point dagger against the Hornets, and John Wall finally made it back to D.C. and received the love and adoration he so rightfully deserves from Wizards fans.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s get it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Golden State proves (AGAIN) that championship DNA matters<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Klay Thompson scored 34 points, and Stephen Curry added 32 on six triples to help Golden State beat the League-best Boston Celtics, 123-107, on Saturday. Thompson scored 12 of 34 in the first quarter and went into halftime with 24. The win over Boston came despite Jaylen Brown (31 points and nine rebounds) cutting Boston\u2019s 17-point deficit to seven points after scoring five straight midway through the fourth quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Celtics weren\u2019t able to capitalize. They missed their final seven shots and managed to score just four more points after Brown\u2019s flurry of buckets. Boston has been held to less than 110 points just five times after Saturday. The Warriors held Boston\u2019s League-best offense to 43.7 percent shooting, including 12-40 from the three-point line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was the sixth time Boston was held below 45 percent shooting this season and the sixth time there were limited to 12 made three-pointers. Boston\u2019s 17 assists were tired of a season-low effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI just thought we competed and did a really good job defensively, tried to make things as tough as possible for them. And we gutted it out,\u201d Steve Kerr said, per <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/3990105\/2022\/12\/11\/thompson-warriors-defense-celtics\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/3990105\/2022\/12\/11\/thompson-warriors-defense-celtics\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Athletic<\/a>. \u201cI thought we needed a game like that. We\u2019ve been a little bit stuck in the mud. And it feels like we\u2019ve gotten better over the last few weeks but not a whole lot to show for it. So this was an important win for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some wins mean more. <br><br>Stephen: 32 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast <br>Klay: 34 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl <br><br>(via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@nba<\/a>) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7ggWupi8x6\">pic.twitter.com\/7ggWupi8x6<\/a><\/p>\u2014 SLAM (@SLAMonline) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SLAMonline\/status\/1601974021184057344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t forget about MVP threat Joel HIMbiid<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=Joel+Embiid\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=Joel+Embiid\" target=\"_blank\">Joel Embiid<\/a> is a DAWG, and don&#8217;t you forget it. The five-time All-Star dropped 53 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists to lead the 76ers to a 131-113 win over the Hornets. Embiid is the third 76er to post multiple 50-point games in the same since Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain. It&#8217;s also the 30th game Embiid secured a 40-point, 10-rebound double-double.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Embiid scored 15 of his 28 first-half points over the final three minutes of the second half. Wells Fargo Arena showered Embiid with MVP chants as he became the first player in the NBA this season to score 50+ points after his League-best 59-point performance against Utah on Nov. 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have a saying that you have to feed the hot hand,\u201d Embiid said, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/recap\/_\/gameId\/401468554\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/recap\/_\/gameId\/401468554\" target=\"_blank\">per ESPN<\/a>. \u201cYou got to keep feeding them until the defense stops it once or twice or three times in that situation. I just kept scoring, and they just kept giving me the ball.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">53 PTS | 12 REB | 3 AST<br><br>Joel HIMbiid. <br><br>\ud83c\udfa5 presented by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PALottery?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@palottery<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4qgsrvXcd3\">pic.twitter.com\/4qgsrvXcd3<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/sixers\/status\/1602121458662051840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 12, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Times may change, but one thing remains true: D.C will always love John Wall:  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An emotional <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=John+Wall\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=John+Wall\" target=\"_blank\">John Wall<\/a> received<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA\/status\/1601734752666800128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1601734752666800128%7Ctwgr%5E1f409a0213adbb26c5c10179fb0833b3af1c6230%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slamonline.com%2F%3Fp%3D768270\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA\/status\/1601734752666800128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1601734752666800128%7Ctwgr%5E1f409a0213adbb26c5c10179fb0833b3af1c6230%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.slamonline.com%2F%3Fp%3D768270\" target=\"_blank\"> the standing ovation<\/a> from Wizards fans that <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/nba\/john-wall-hopeful-for-a-big-standing-ovation-from-wizards-fans\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/nba\/john-wall-hopeful-for-a-big-standing-ovation-from-wizards-fans\/\" target=\"_blank\">he expected during the offseason<\/a>. The city\u2019s favorite point guard returned to Capital One Center for the first time as a visiting player and posted 13 points, three assists, and two steals to help the Clippers win 114-107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">JOHN WALL is really like that <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/g2lSBKZ0he\">pic.twitter.com\/g2lSBKZ0he<\/a><\/p>\u2014 LA Clippers (@LAClippers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LAClippers\/status\/1601742290233356289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlight moment of the night came when Wall hit a signature pull-up from mid-range. After Wall dropped the jumper, he yelled out that the nation&#8217;s capital is \u201cstill my city.\u201d Although the former No. 1 overall pick said he wouldn&#8217;t say <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CaritaCParks\/status\/1601778444345683973?s=20&amp;t=_25-qrwJ3NO2VfqQ5No_sg\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CaritaCParks\/status\/1601778444345683973?s=20&amp;t=_25-qrwJ3NO2VfqQ5No_sg\" target=\"_blank\">goodbye to D.C.<\/a>, he was happy the city showered him with love as their favorite son finally came home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is something I\u2019ve been waiting for four years,\u201d Wall said per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/recap\/_\/gameId\/401468544\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/recap\/_\/gameId\/401468544\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ESPN<\/a>. \u201cThe first time I got traded, I came back with Houston; it was COVID, so you couldn\u2019t be here. Then last year, I wasn\u2019t playing. I\u2019m glad I got the opportunity to appreciate it and be here, and get the love that I think I deserved. I feel like I got my flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">John Wall on \u2018Still My City\u2019<br><br>\u201cIn that moment and electrifying the crowd. That\u2019s what I\u2019ve been doing for a lot of years in my career when I was here&#8230;. To see the crowd stand up, I\u2019m like, \u2018damn I might feel like I\u2019m still in a Wizards jersey now.\u2019 It was a dope moment for me.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GuAcxqEURk\">pic.twitter.com\/GuAcxqEURk<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Hoop District (@Hoop_District) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Hoop_District\/status\/1601787479837003776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Victor Wembanyama continues to solidify his spot as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/the-magazine\/victor-wembanyama-slam-240-out-now\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/the-magazine\/victor-wembanyama-slam-240-out-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SLAM 240<\/a> cover star <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=Victor+Wembanyama\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=Victor+Wembanyama\" target=\"_blank\">Victor Wembanyama<\/a> is a force to be reckoned with, and the NBA is beyond ready to see him dominate in the States. The 18-year-old superstar has an eight-foot wingspan capable of blocking everything in sight and a deadly jumper that makes him uniquely equipped to thrive in today\u2019s NBA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This weekend, Wembanyama posted 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three steals against Monaco. Despite the strong outing, Metropolitan 93 lost 95-82; their next game will be on Dec. 17 against Paris Basketball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Wemby in action for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Metropolitans92?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Metropolitans92<\/a> today:<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/vicw_32?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@vicw_32<\/a>: 27 PTS, 11 REB, 3 STL <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ep7cc4etFd\">pic.twitter.com\/ep7cc4etFd<\/a><\/p>\u2014 NBA (@NBA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBA\/status\/1602034587634319362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 11, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brittney Griner set to announce her future plans soon: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=Brittney+Griner\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?s=Brittney+Griner\" target=\"_blank\">Brittney Griner<\/a> is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wnba\/brittney-griner-in-u-s-custody-after-successful-prisoner-swap\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wnba\/brittney-griner-in-u-s-custody-after-successful-prisoner-swap\/\" target=\"_blank\">back in the States<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wnba\/wnba-playersandcoaches-react-to-brittney-griners-coming-home\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wnba\/wnba-playersandcoaches-react-to-brittney-griners-coming-home\/\" target=\"_blank\">has no immediate plans<\/a> to leave Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, according to her agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas. Colas told ESPN that Griner recently put herself through a light contest, with her first shot being a dunk. Griner will reportedly release a statement sometime this week, per Colas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colas revealed Griner isn\u2019t ready to say when or if she plans to resume her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf she wants to play, it will be for her to share. She has the holidays to rest and decide what\u2019s next without any pressure,\u201d Colas said. \u201cShe\u2019s doing really, really well. She seems to have endured this in pretty incredible ways.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In case you missed it, this weekend was packed with must-see matchups and performances from superstars across the League. The Golden State Warriors are still a legit title threat, and they proved that after flexing their championship DNA and beating the League-leading Boston Celtics; Joel Embiid is knocking on that MVP window after dropping a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":447,"featured_media":768278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,63826,62493],"tags":[91,3928,116,10813,246,63300,94,64666,105],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-768270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-news","category-newswire","tag-boston-celtics","tag-brittney-griner","tag-golden-state-warriors","tag-joel-embiid","tag-john-wall","tag-los-angeles-clippers-2","tag-philadelphia-76ers","tag-victor-wembanyama","tag-washington-wizards"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/447"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=768270"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":768395,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768270\/revisions\/768395"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/768278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=768270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=768270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=768270"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=768270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}