The Spurs suffered a painful loss on their go to to Charlotte. A horrible begin made issues unnecessarily exhausting for San Antonio, which nonetheless had a possibility to steal it within the last possession regardless of a disappointing general efficiency. Sadly, De’Aaron Fox’s would-be game-winner was late and the Hornets received 117-116.
The beginning of the sport set the tone and it wasn’t a very good one for the Spurs. They have been going to Victor Wembanyama early, which was a good suggestion in concept however led to a stagnant offense. The threes not falling didn’t assist San Antonio on that finish, both. The Hornets, in the meantime, have been feasting on a delicate perimeter protection and stepping into floater vary, the place they took open shut pictures with out having to take care of Wembanyama’s rim safety. The house crew rapidly constructed a lead that solely acquired larger when the benches checked in. San Antonio’s second unit was sloppy and lacked rim safety, as Jeremy Sochan was as soon as once more tasked with backup middle minutes. As soon as Wemby returned the protection improved however not sufficient to take management of the sport. After one, Charlotte was up 12.
The threes have been falling for the Hornets to begin the second whereas the Spurs’ offense continued to look stagnant. Every little thing they acquired was carried out by a person effort and never crew execution. De’Aaron Fox supplied the Spurs with the decisiveness they wanted to get buckets inside or open appears to be like within the perimeter in opposition to a Hornets protection that was not coordinated sufficient to nail a number of rotations in a row. Sadly, the Spurs’ protection was additionally struggling even with fundamental duties and couldn’t get stops. The mix of little to no contributions from the shooters, a nonetheless not 100% wholesome Wembanyama and a sizzling Hornets crew that was out-hustling their opponent in each approach prevented a giant run. San Antonio was fortunate to solely be down 12 on the break.
After the sport, Mitch Johnson referred to as the shortage of physicality “very disappointing,” and the inconsistent effort he was referring to was there within the third quarter. The Spurs acquired occurring offense with Fox and Wembanyama creating for others and Chris Paul hitting a few pictures, however defensively, San Antonio both didn’t get stops or allowed offensive boards which gave Charlotte second alternatives. The Hornets are a nasty crew, however they weren’t going to beat themselves, which is what it appeared the Silver and Black have been hoping for. There have been stretches of energetic play, usually spearheaded by Jeremy Sochan, however typically, the Spurs appeared content material to remain inside hanging distance, possible believing they have been going to have the ability to flip the change within the last body.
They nearly pulled it off regardless of trailing by 11 to begin the fourth quarter, which is each encouraging in that it alerts they’ve one other gear and regarding as a result of it reveals they lack what Gregg Popovich used to name “applicable worry” for opponents. The Hornets have been initially holding off any large runs with offensive boards and well timed buckets, however Devin Vassell got here alive, making performs on each ends, whereas Citadel, Sochan and Fox continued to do good work. San Antonio chipped away on the deficit till it was only one level with three minutes to go. De’Aaron Fox took over, scoring the final six factors for the Spurs, which grabbed the lead with eight seconds to go. Sadly, there was a defensive breakdown within the subsequent play and the Hornets acquired an open three to fall. Fox nearly gave the Silver and Black a completely undeserved win with a last-second shot, but it surely was too late and Charlotte prevailed.
Play of the sport
Devin Vassell had a horrendous first half however was in assault mode within the second and energized the crew along with his play and this nasty dunk to finish the third quarter.
Recreation notes
Wembanyama had 16 factors, 11 rebounds, three assists and 5 blocks, however don’t let the stat line idiot you: he had one of many worst video games of his profession. He missed eight of his 9 threes and appeared gassed and unfocused for lengthy stretches. He’s possible nonetheless affected by no matter sickness or allergy symptoms are affecting him however the Spurs want extra from their celebrity.
Stephon Citadel had a career-high 33 factors off the bench and he solely wanted 15 pictures to get there. The threes have been falling, the drives have been on level and he acquired to the road at will. It’s unlucky he overhelped from the nook, resulting in the Hornets’ game-winner, but it surely was an awesome recreation from the rookie, who’s allowed to make errors.
Fox is a killer within the fourth quarter, as everybody is aware of. The tried buzzer-beater was late, but it surely was nonetheless a formidable shot.
The Spurs shot 31 p.c on threes. Wemby was one of many greatest culprits however Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson mixed to go 0-for-9 from past the arc. An enormous a part of these guys’ position on offense is to make catch-and-shoot threes. Once they don’t, the crew suffers. On a associated be aware, Johnson, capturing 30 p.c from exterior for the season, wants to search out his stroke rapidly, or he’ll discover himself taking part in below 20 minutes extra usually.
Jeremy Sochan was nice off the bench, as soon as once more taking part in backup middle when Wemby was not on the ground and guarding the opponent’s greatest scorer after they shared the court docket. With Champagnie and Johnson being non-factors, Citadel and Sochan needed to step as much as present scoring and protection off the bench, and delivered.
Chris Paul has been targetted all season on protection, regardless of how a lot the Spurs have tried to cover him, but it surely was painful to observe it occur consistently in opposition to the Hornets. Paul brings loads to the desk however at this level most likely shouldn’t shut video games. Mitch Johnson has left him on the bench in crunch time up to now, so it’s exhausting to grasp why he was on the market to complete a recreation during which San Antonio was battling physicality.
Subsequent recreation: Vs. Orlando Magic on Saturday
The Spurs will fly to Orlando to face the Magic on a SEGABABA. The Magic might get defensive lynchpin Jalen Suggs again and have numerous expertise within the frontcourt.
