Over two-and-a-half weeks have handed for the reason that Spurs’ 2023-24 season got here to an finish, whereas they solely barely managed to match final season’s win whole of twenty-two, that doesn’t imply there wasn’t something memorable about it. Fairly the opposite, truly. In that spirit, I believed it could be enjoyable to look again at among the most moments moments from the season. They may very well be total video games, sure performs, notable stat traces — actually something that can follow us for some time, starting with…
Early miniseries sweep in Phoenix
Just like final season’s 5-2 begin, the Spurs gave us a little bit of false hope early with a 3-2 begin (earlier than the dreaded 18-game shedding streak), which was capped off by consecutive wins on the dwelling of a Phoenix Suns crew that had championship aspirations behind a brand new large three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The primary sport featured an enormous rally by the Spurs who had been nonetheless down by three late earlier than a Victor Wembanyama putback slam with six seconds left, adopted by a Keldon Johnson steal and layup within the backcourt to safe the 115-114 win on their solely lead of the sport.
The second sport was virtually a mirror picture of the primary, with the Spurs holding a double-digit lead many of the night time earlier than staving off a late Suns rally, however extra importantly, it was Wemby’s “breakout” NBA sport, exhibiting the hype was actual with 38 factors and 10 rebounds in simply his fifth profession sport.
The Alien vs. the Greek Freak
After the early success, it was all downhill for fairly some time for the Spurs, however a turning level within the season general was a good 111-115 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in January. Whereas it wasn’t a win, it was the sport the place Tre Jones lastly returned to start line guard, and the distinction within the Spurs’ degree of play was palpable. Nevertheless, in the long run, essentially the most memorable factor about that sport would be the first matchup between two European unicorns in Wemby and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whereas the latter had himself an evening with a dominant 44 factors, the previous held his personal towards the 2x MVP, together with making a press release with one epic block that gave the Spurs an opportunity to power additional time.
Wemby’s historic triple-doubles
It’s almost unattainable to maintain monitor of what number of historic feats Wemby achieved all through his rookie season, however one large one was not simply recording a triple-double, however two utilizing completely different stats. The primary got here by way of assists, with a 16-12-10 stat line in a January blowout win at Detroit, and the opposite was a extra uncommon kind with blocks, going 27-14-10 of their one Rodeo Highway Journey win in Toronto.
Devin Vassell’s behind-the-back go
Talking of that sport in Toronto, it featured considered one of my favourite performs of the season, courtesy of Devin Vassell. Because the ball was heading out of bounds on the sidelines, he jumped to put it aside along with his again to the court docket, and in a single fluid movement flung it behind his again to an open Wemby underneath the basketball. Wemby was already shocked earlier than he might even full the formality of placing the ball within the basket, and the look he had whereas heading again up the court docket was priceless.
Wemby secures ROY with iconic block of Chet Holmgren
It was one other tough Rodeo Highway Journey for the younger Spurs, and whereas the return house is at all times a reduction, it didn’t appear like a win would instantly be within the works with the rising Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ready. Nevertheless, the Spurs shocked everybody with a robust crew efficiency for the win, and Wemby all however secured the Rookie of the Yr vote with a 3 and dad-block over his predominant opponent, Chet Holmgren, on consecutive performs.
OT win vs. Knicks
The post-RRT journey Spurs had been a distinct crew, and one other time they confirmed it was towards a Knicks crew that was combating for playoff seeding. It was yet one more large Wemby sport with a 40-20-7 (help) stat line to assist overcome 61 factors from Jalen Brunson, but it surely nonetheless took a full crew effort. All of it got here right down to a wild fourth quarter with a number of lead adjustments and an exhilarating OT, capped by Wemby throwing the ball into the stands for his first NBA positive.
Devonte’ Graham’s large second
Possibly essentially the most satisfying win of the season got here within the penultimate sport, when a depleted Spurs crew shocked a wholesome defending-champion Nuggets squad that was nonetheless combating for the highest seed. It appeared like it could be simply one other loss as they obtained down large early within the second half, however as an alternative the Spurs staged a powerful second-half comeback sparked by 17 straight factors from Wemby within the third quarter to get them again into the sport.
Then, it was one other wild ultimate jiffy, capped off with a game-winning lay-up by Devonte’ Graham (a.okay.a. Unc), who had patiently sat on the bench all season however was prepared when known as upon. It was a pleasure seeing his teammates so pleased for him.
Tre Jones dunk on closing night time
This may simply be recency bias, however I couldn’t end with out mentioning Jones’ dunk within the Spurs’ blowout win of the Pistons to shut the season. Each groups had been taking part in skeleton crews, however that didn’t matter to the Spurs because the ran away with the sport, and by the point Jones accomplished his solely dunk of the season, everybody was having to a lot enjoyable. His smile, the sheer pleasure from his teammates on the bench — I hold discovering myself rewatching it and smiling even at this time, and it brings a degree of happiness to maintain me whereas we optimistically wait one other six months for a brand new season.
How about you, Pounders? What are some extra memorable moments (the constructive type) from the season that that can follow you? Be at liberty so as to add extra within the feedback under!
