San Antonio vs. Los Angeles, Ultimate Rating: Spurs combat again however Clippers draw back late, 116-128

Lastly again dwelling for the primary time in 12 days, the Spurs had been hoping to get again on the fitting foot after a tough few weeks. Sadly, they ran right into a buzzsaw Clippers squad that’s totally wholesome and has Kawhi Leonard’s minutes restrictions loosened, permitting him to play within the fourth quarter. After a good first half, it regarded like there was a turd quarter within the making because the Spurs acquired down by 16. They fought again, even taking the lead a number of instances, however they only couldn’t hold the Clippers off the free throw or the offensive glass within the fourth quarter, ultimately falling 128-116.

Victor Wembanyama led 4 Spurs in double figures with 23 factors, 12 rebounds 4 assists and three blocks. Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell scored 27 apiece for the Clippers, and Ivica Zubac had a 20-20 sport with 21 factors and 22 rebounds.

Observations

Firstly, the query on everybody’s thoughts heading into this sport: would Spurs followers heed Gregg Popovich’s pleas from final season to cease booing Kawhi? The reply is not any, they didn’t. He first touched the ball on their second offensive possession, and the boos started instantly and continued all through. They weren’t the loudest they’ve ever been, however they had been there.
Mitch Johnson continued the strategy of rolling with Jeremy Sochan as backup middle, and which will stay the case for the foreseeable future with Johnson stating earlier than the sport that Stephon Fort would proceed beginning for the foreseeable future for developmental functions. Then, when Sochan sits, Sandro Mamukelashvili briefly is available in alongside Wemby. Each gamers had been in all places and created a spark once they got here in, with Sochan getting back-to-back steals on James Harden and Mamu getting a bucket and flying in for rebounds.
Julian Champagnie’s largest weak spot could also be his handles. A lot of his turnovers currently appear to be unforced, and he had two such turnovers on consecutive possessions within the first quarter, first the place he misplaced the ball out of bounds on the dribble, adopted by failing to scoop up an (admittedly low move) in transition, shedding the ball off his leg regardless of having an open basket in entrance of him.
Victor Wembanyama didn’t try a three-pointer within the first half, and the outcome was 4 shot makes an attempt — the least of all 5 starters — plus 4 free throws for 9 factors. Folks marvel why he takes so many threes, typically out of rhythm, and for this reason: a scarcity of touches. He lastly acquired going within the third quarter with a middy and three-pointer, in addition to a collection of blocks in opposition to Zubac, who shoved him to the ground out of frustration (with by some means no name). Let’s simply say he briefly poked the bear (as within the Spurs as a complete) because it got here amidst a 25-11 run to shut the quarter that acquired them again into the sport after they trailed by as a lot as 16, avoiding a “turd quarter”.
The Clippers, specifically Zubac, completely crushed the Spurs on boards with a 57-30 benefit in whole rebounds, 17 of which had been offensive rebounds, 13 of which belonged to Zubac. He had a subject day down low, both taking benefit when the Clippers pressured a change and Wemby needed to exit to defend a jumper or simply straight up proudly owning the boards when Wemby sat. The one space that saved the Spurs within the sport was factors off turnovers, getting 25 off the Clippers’ 17 whereas solely coughing it up 10 instances themselves. Sadly, the Clippers had been too sizzling in all places else to totally take benefit.
One other basic Wemby stat to shut out:

The Spurs will return to the Frost Financial institution Middle on Friday as the primary a part of a back-to-back forward of the Rodeo Street Journey, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Tip-off will likely be at 7:00 PM on FanDuel Sports activities Community.