The San Antonio Spurs got here into Sunday night time’s recreation with a leg up on the Philadephia 76ers within the heart division, as Joel Embiid sat out as a part of the 76ers return from harm plans for him following his latest return from a meniscus harm that sidelined him for two months. Philadelphia was really with out a first rate quantity of rotation gamers, however head coach Nick Nurse nonetheless had Tyrese Maxey and some of his starters to lean on to try to hold the eighth seeded 76ers slim possibilities of escaping the play-in match alive.
Contemplating the state of affairs, San Antonio had nearly as good an opportunity as ever to begin at the least another win streak earlier than season’s finish. Keldon Johnson made his return from a 3-game absence with a spot within the beginning line-up, however the Spurs’ offense struggled to attain out of the gate and the 76ers led by as many as 9 behind 12 first quarter factors from Kelly Oubre Jr.. A unit compromised of principally bench gamers got here in close to the tip of the primary quarter and managed to maintain it shut, however San Antonio nonetheless misplaced the quarter 31-24.
Issues failed to choose up for San Antonio’s offense because the 2nd quarter started, with Philadelphia happening a 12-5 run within the first 3 minutes to push their result in 14. That group responded with some stops and buckets earlier than the starters discovered their means again in. The offense lastly got here alive, as what adopted was a 20-2 Spurs’ run, led by some sizzling capturing from Malaki Branham, that erased the deficit and gave them the lead. With Wemby chipping in 16 factors, 9 rebounds, and three blocks, the Spurs have been in a position to push their result in 13 earlier than a last-second nook 3 from Buddy Hield lower the result in 10. The groups headed to the locker room with the Spurs main 64-54 after profitable the 2nd quarter 40-23.
The 2 groups kicked off the 2nd half buying and selling buckets and vying for management. 10 factors from Tyrese Maxey within the first 6 minutes lower San Antonio’s result in simply 3. Some well timed stops led to Spurs’ buckets that slowed up Philly’s momentum. San Antonio’s protection managed to carry the 76ers to only 4 factors after Maxey lower it to 72-69, ending the quarter with an 80-73 lead.
Wembanyama kicked the 4th quarter off with three seems from past the arc that pushed the lead again as much as double digits quite a few occasions as Philadelphia tried to go on one other run. Gamers not named Wemby have been struggling to attain for San Antonio although, and an harm that took Keldon Johnson out of the sport threatened to take the Spurs out of the sport. The 76ers managed to chop San Antonio’s result in simply 1 at 95-94 earlier than Devonte’ Graham bought fouled hitting a jumper, giving San Antonio a much-needed 3-point play.
San Antonio practically managed to drag away, however a relentless Tyrese Maxey put the 76ers able to take the lead. A Nic Batum 3 ball with simply 9 seconds left within the 4th did simply that, forcing the Spurs to name outing down 109-108. A superbly-executed play put the ball in Julian Champagnie’s fingers for an awesome look from the nook that put Spurs up 111-109 with 2.7 left on the clock, however Tyrese Maxey hit a layup that tied the sport and compelled time beyond regulation.
The groups traded buckets the primary 3 minutes of time beyond regulation, with Malaki Branham and Devonte’ Graham hitting again to again enormous 3s that gave San Antonio a 121-119 lead, however Philadelphia tied the sport as soon as once more with 24 seconds to go. Kelly Oubre had an opportunity to win it, however missed an awesome take a look at a 3, thus guaranteeing double time beyond regulation.
The groups as soon as once more traded buckets to begin the second time beyond regulation session. San Antonio received a problem that may have put Tyrese Maxey on the line for two and instantly got here down and bought a 3 from Malaki Branham that gave the Spurs a 126-123 lead. However Philadelphia refused to go away and as soon as once more tied the sport. Wembanyama was referred to as for a goaltend on a detailed block that when once more required a (profitable) problem, leading to his seventh block of the night time.
San Antonio appeared to expire of gasoline after this although and remained caught on 126 factors whereas Philadelphia went on a 7-0 run that in the end iced the sport for them. Victor Wembanyama completed with 33 factors, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, and seven blocks in 43 minutes, however had 9 turnovers and seemed drained within the second time beyond regulation interval, whereas Tyrese Maxey appeared to nonetheless be contemporary down the stretch. Maxey’s 54 minutes performed is much more spectacular contemplating he was on a SEGABABA.
The Spurs fall to 19-59 on the season and are again in motion Tuesday on the highway in Memphis towards the Grizzlies.
