The 32 points scored in a glowing Madison Square Garden are already far away. A month after opening night against Boston, Evan Fournier is in trouble with the Knicks. The French rear is still the holder but less and less used by Tom Thibodeau. The reunion with his old Orlando franchise didn’t inspire him more that night.
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Fournier finished with five points in 21 minutes (2 of 6 shooting). More worryingly, he did not play a single second of the last quarter, as the Knicks struggled to snatch the victory. New York has been beaten (98-104) and no longer finds its momentum at the start of the season. His French rear remains on four matches below the 10 points scored.
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Still in the Eastern Conference, Detroit won but Killian Hayes did not shine. Embarrassed by fault problems, the young French leader (20) only played 20 minutes. The time to make a success of his two attempts and to distribute in particular four assists against Indiana (97-89). A discreet match, unlike its competitors, Frank Jackson and Cory Joseph, who each scored more than 10 points coming off the bench.
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Ntilikina convincing with Dallas
Beaten by Phoenix with Dallas (98-105), Frank Ntilikina took advantage of the trip to Arizona to show off. Luka Doncic absent, the Olympic silver medalist was a little more in demand than usual. And he did everything to convince Jason Kidd. In 18 minutes of play, the “French Prince” scored 13 points, his season record. Ntilikina finished 100% three-point (3 of 3) and was the Mavericks’ most productive substitute.
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Two other French people came into play on Wednesday. Once the defeat is certain in Charlotte (87-97), Joel ayayi was launched by Washington for 1’30 ” of play. The French rookie distributed an assist. In Atlanta, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot was only called for 17 seconds. The Blues winger came into play to defend, just before half-time, during the Hawks’ victory over Boston (110-99).
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