After a tricky loss to the Houston Rockets on the street, dangerous information struck the San Antonio Spurs as soon as once more. It was introduced on Wednesday evening that Victor Wembanyama would miss Thursday evening’s matchup with the Sacramento Kings. Wembanyama suffered a proper ankle damage within the third quarter towards the Rockets. It’s unclear how a lot time he’ll miss going ahead.
San Antonio will face a tricky opponent within the Kings, who’re on the second recreation of a back-to-back. Sacramento is an offensive powerhouse within the prime ten for factors scored per recreation. Of their final matchup, the Spurs had been defeated 127-122, regardless of 32 factors from Devin Vassell. They’ll want one other huge efficiency from Vassell in the event that they wish to seize a tricky victory on the street.
San Antonio Spurs (13-49) vs. Sacramento Kings (34-26)
March 7, 2024 | 9 PM CT
Watch: Bally | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (left knee,) Sidy Cissoko – Out (G League,) David Duke Jr. – Out (G League,) Jamaree Bouyea – Out (G League,) RaiQuan Grey – Out (G League,) Victor Wembanyama – Out (proper ankle)
Kings Accidents: Don’t must report till 1 p.m. CT
What to look at for
The offense with out Wembanyama
The Spurs will likely be with out their star huge man for simply the seventh time this season. The video games with out him have left the Spurs with a void of their offense. Wembanyama is their go-to man, main the staff in utilization charge. With out him, they’ll want a struggling offensive staff to step up. The scoring load will doubtless fall on Vassell, Tre Jones and Jeremy Sochan. Zach Collins will doubtless step into the beginning lineup with Wembanyama out, giving the Spurs one other huge to function as an offensive hub within the excessive submit on dribble hand-offs and display and rolls.
One other participant to look out for is Malaki Branham, who has been torching the nets for the reason that commerce deadline. For the reason that all-star break, Branham is averaging 13.1 factors and taking pictures 46.7% from three. If he can proceed to pack a punch off the bench, the Spurs could possibly make up for a few of Wembanyama’s scoring within the combination.
Defending the paint
Within the Spurs’ final recreation towards the Kings, Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox had a subject day with San Antonio’s protection. Sabonis had a triple-double with 22 factors, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Fox led the staff in scoring with 29 factors and 9 assists. Each of them dominated the Spurs within the paint. With no Wembanyama, defending the rim turns into even more durable for San Antonio.
Collins is a median paint defender who’s good positionally and may bang with different big-bodied gamers on the inside. Dominick Barlow will play spot minutes because the backup heart. Barlow is a flexible defender who has shot-blocking capabilities. Nonetheless, neither of those choices will likely be as potent in defending the rim as Wembanyama. The Spurs may help out their bigs with some powerful perimeter protection.
Dealing with and dishing physicality
Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich, was disenchanted in how his staff dealt with the bodily protection of the Houston Rockets of their final recreation. The Spurs turned the ball over 19 occasions, permitting the Rockets to attain 28 factors off giveaways. They by no means fairly responded to Houston’s physicality, and their offensive circulation was disrupted.
The Kings are a equally bodily staff, with guys like Sabonis and Fox bringing drive on each ends. This can be a nice alternative for the younger Spurs to reply, and take the physicality to Sacramento. Constant defensive power and poise underneath stress with the ball of their palms will likely be keys to getting a tricky win on the street.
