The younger Spurs fought valiantly to shut a double-digit deficit within the fourth quarter, however regardless of their effort, it was not sufficient to get the win a Sunday matinee towards the Cleveland Cavaliers. Victor Wembanyama led the workforce with 24 factors, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Devin Vassell poured in 22 factors with 3 steals whereas Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones contributed 18 factors apiece.
Because the Spurs battle by means of extra rising pains on the highway to discovering methods to win and win persistently, a number of nuggets stood out from Sunday’s recreation.
On this play early within the recreation, Victor Wembanyama confirmed off some imaginative and prescient and fast decision-making with this good bounce go to a reducing Tre Jones for the bucket. The imaginative and prescient and play-making skill are a part of the rookie’s rising repertoire, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Spurs followers wish to see extra of the offense stream by means of him.
Keldon Johnson intercepted this go and free-squared his manner unimpeded to the basket for the dunk. Johnson continues to be a power off the bench, however in Manu-esque fashion nonetheless performs massive minutes and finishes video games down the stretch.
Blake Wesley introduced the hammer house after the Spurs protection put the screws to get the turnover. The protection had 10 steals so it felt like lots of simple factors in transition got here off of a number of nice defensive stands. The sport complete was 232, and in immediately’s NBA that’s positively a defensive battle.
Devin Vassell’s shot is as easy as butter on a Whataburger Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuit, which needs to be accessible earlier than 11 PM and after 11 AM. Give the individuals what they need! Vassell continues to scorch from downtown as he went 4 – 9 and has made 10 complete from past the arc within the final two video games.
For the season, Vassell is taking pictures 38%, and it appears like that quantity may very well be north of 40 with extra reps and extra confidence as Vassell establishes extra consistency.
Cedi Osman had a pleasant dish served up for Dominick Barlow with the ending flush. Osman and Barlow soaked up many of the bench minutes (except for Johnson) and contributed helpful spot factors and rebounds.
Wembanyama began this sequence with a vicious block proper to Vassell who then pushed it again to Wemby once more within the excessive submit the place he discovered an open Johnson for a 3. As soon as once more, it feels just like the potential ROY has the power to have his fingerprints everywhere in the recreation on each ends of the ground. All of this regardless of enjoying on a minutes restriction is certainly an optimistic view that the workforce will finally coalesce round his budding expertise and string collectively some wins.
Choose 2 by Wembanyama is when the phenom picks your pocket and goes the opposite manner for a simple two. Choose 2 by Wembanyama may be a weekly curated collection of motion pictures he’s recommending. This week, I’m going to exit on a limb and say Wemby’s two motion pictures are “Able to Rumble” and “Rounders.” Two sports activities motion pictures that begin with the letter “R.” Why not? Let’s gooooooo
In the event you missed the sport since you have been too busy debating whether or not to drive to Whataburger or having DoorDashed, listed below are the full-game highlights:
Subsequent up, the Spurs head to Detroit to tackle the Pistons on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
