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Kristaps Porzingis' Latvian team lost to Serbia by 10 in their 2017 EuroBasket. Meanwhile, Willy Hernangómez’ Spanish team crushed clearly overmatched Montenegro by 40, but who cares?
This, Friday, was a banner day. The Euro WonderKnicks are back!
Serbia 92, Latvia 82:
KP scored 18 points on 7 for 16 from the field and 3 for 6 from deep in Latvia’s 10-point loss to Serbia in Istanbul. He picked up just 4 boards, got into some foul trouble and committed 3 turnovers but he did block 4 shots! Probably wasn’t his best game—particularly the second half—but shiiiiiit just look at these plays:
Porzingis is gonna get Latvia in a war if he keeps disrespecting other countries like this. pic.twitter.com/OS9mvSzdTv
— Thomas Duffy (@TJDhoops) September 1, 2017
Good morning from Kristaps Porzingis at Eurobasket pic.twitter.com/oDEo46GIjH
— Kristaps Wobzingis (@World_Wide_Wob) September 1, 2017
18 points, 4 blocks, 3 three-pointers and this dunk for Kristaps Porzingis today pic.twitter.com/431qDWHvcN
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) September 1, 2017
Serbia put Boban in to guard Porzingis OH NO YOU DONT. YACK EMM pic.twitter.com/BtBoBgkNd0
— Kristaps Wobzingis (@World_Wide_Wob) September 1, 2017
Over four straight possesions:
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) September 1, 2017
Porzingis blocks a shot,
then hits a deep 3PT,
then blocks a shot,
then fakes a 3 and drives for a dunk: pic.twitter.com/n9F4FIYzle
He’s so good he’s giving Papa Seth the parental feelz.
I have no desire to ever become a father *except* when I watch Kristaps play. Then I get it
— Seth Rosenthal (@seth_rosenthal) September 1, 2017
Latvia got off to a bad start in this tournament, but they’ll be back in action bright and early tomorrow when they take on Belgium at 7:15 AM ET, also in Istanbul.
Spain 99, Montenegro 60:
NBA talent-filled Spain began their EuroBasket title defence in Cluj, Romania by crushing Montenegro, who has just one NBA player, Orlando big man Nikola Vucevic. Willy Hernangomez straight-up tore through his fellow NBA'er like tissue paper. A kid who plays for the Knicks was probably the best player in this game. **Galaxy brain**
In just over 19 minutes of game time, Willy scored 18 points on 6-7 from the field and 6-7 from the line. He picked up 9 boards, had one steal and an assist. He also did this:
Conexión entre Sergio Rodríguez y Willy Hernangómez #EuroBasket2017pic.twitter.com/G816X6S5Yo
— Juanpe (@23Juanpe33) September 1, 2017
According to EuroBasket’s box score, his almost-double-double was good for +/- of +19, and an efficiency rating of 24; by far the highest in the game.
Spain is back in action tomorrow at 10:45 AM ET against the Czech Republic. Y’all, I think Spain wins that game.
This is our front court. I am so happy right now.