NBA Rookies: Victor Wembanyama, Gradey Dick Headline Freshman Matchups on Monday Night
The NBA All-Star break is nearing, and this season keeps progressing quicker and quicker it seems.
Numerous rookies around the league in a stacked draft class have been providing sources of production in a number of facets, even if they may not be in the winningest situation.
As 20 teams are set to compete on Monday night, let's take a small dive into a couple of matchups worth tuning into:
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Raptors vs Spurs
In the 6:30p.m. CT slot, Gradey Dick and the Toronto Raptors will see the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama.
Dick has been providing a big scoring presence for Toronto recently, starring in a larger role for multiple double-digit scoring outings, along with a 22-point performance in a loss to the Pelicans. The Raptors are 4-7 since his role has heightened.
Wembanyama, of course, still leads the Kia Rookie Ladder, as the 20-year-old Frenchman continues to rough out his game even more. 20.3 points on 46.4% shooting and 10.0 rebounds in 47 games thus far has shown the impact he could have on this league for years to come.
Though, the Spurs sit dead last in the West at 10-43, and hold a full 5.5 games from the 14th spot.
Grizzlies vs Pelicans
The undeniably talented rookie G.G. Jackson and the Memphis Grizzlies will be taking on Jordan Hawkins and the New Orleans Pelicans in the 7 p.m. CT slot.
Recently bursting onto the scene, Jackson has proved himself as an NBA-ready forward, being called up from the Memphis Hustle in early January before turning in several 20-plus points, five-plus rebound performances, though the Grizzlies enter this contest on an eight-game losing skid.
Hawkins has been fairly quiet of late, having logged much fewer minutes so far this month (7.6) than in January (18.6) due to being pushed down the line in the rotation. A month ago he notched a 34-point outing versus the Dallas Mavericks, but has yet to eclipse double digits in February.
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