Coming off an exciting win in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks this previous Wednesday, the Spurs traveled to Charlotte to tackle the Hornets. The Hornets are short-handed attributable to a number of accidents and pending trades, however that didn’t matter one bit. The Spurs received off to a gradual begin within the first, falling behind 34-22. After falling behind by as a lot as 19, the Spurs discovered themselves down by 12 at halftime, and down by 11 on the finish of the third. Within the fourth quarter, the Spurs made a comeback. Tied at 144 apiece, De’Aaron Fox hit a clutch jumper with 7.9 seconds left to take the lead. Sadly, on the subsequent possession, LaMelo Ball fought his approach into the paint and drew three defenders, leaving Miles Bridges huge open within the nook for the go-ahead three. With simply 1.4 seconds left, De’Aaron Fox hit a 3 after the buzzer sounded. The Spurs misplaced 117-116.
Stephon Fortress had himself a profession evening! He dropped a career-high 33 factors (10-15 FG) (10-11 FT), 4 rebounds and two assists. It looks like he took going again to the bench personally. Steph was in assault mode from the beginning, and for a second he was carrying the Spurs on his again in sparking the comeback. Hopefully, it is a wake-up name for Mitch Johnson and firm.
ALLEY-OOP! On the fastbreak, Jeremy Sochan finds Steph for the lob connection!
One other look? Why not?
Steph dropped 16 of his 33 within the first half alone!
AND-ONE! After grabbing the rebound, Devin Vassell threw a dime to Steph who was already ready on the basket for the and-one end!
De’Aaron Fox had one other nice recreation for the Silver and Black: 22 factors, six assists, 4 steals, and two rebounds. Moreover Steph, De’Aaron additionally was anchoring the Spurs comeback. He was particularly clutch ultimately, even when the final shot didn’t rely. Wanting ahead to extra alternatives for him in clutch time.
‘Scuse me! De’Aaron will get Nick Smith Jr. within the air, and steps by means of for a wide-open floater!
CLUTCH. De’Aaron places Moussa Diabate on skates for the go-ahead jumper with 7.9 seconds left.
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 16 factors and 11 rebounds to associate with 5 blocks and three assists. One factor Wemby and the Spurs coaching workers have to work on within the offseason is conditioning. He appeared gassed on each protection and offense once more, however this time he swatted 5 pictures. Hopefully, he performs like he’s at 100% quickly as a result of it hasn’t regarded like December Wemby.
Too straightforward. Harrison Barnes finds an open Wemby inside for the straightforward and-one slam!
NOPE. Wemby swats Smith Jr.’s layup try out of bounds!
Silky easy. Wemby shoots over Miles Bridges for the powerful middy!
Merely ridiculous! Wemby not solely rejects DaQuan Jeffries, he palms the basketball WITHOUT JUMPING! Additionally, it resulted in a Barnes layup!
Devin Vassell overcame a gradual begin to drop 15 factors, 4 rebounds, an help, and a steal. Regardless of capturing 5 of 13 general, Dev made some clutch performs within the fourth. He was additionally a +19 which was the very best of any Spur who performed.
POSTER ALERT! Dev beats Tidjane Salun off the dribble and POSTERIZES Bridges!
SNIPER! One of many Dev’s 4 threes got here in an important level within the fourth quarter!
Jeremy Sochan dropped a double-double off the bench with 11 factors and 12 rebounds. He additionally dropped two dimes. Jeremy has needed to play the backup heart position attributable to Charles Bassey’s damage, and he’s made probably the most of it. Though, it looks like his finest minutes are when Wemby can also be on the court docket.
After lobbing to Fortress earlier, Jeremy will get in good place for the wide-open jam below the basket!
Chris Paul dropped six factors, seven assists, and a steal. Strong manufacturing, however eventually he might need to come back off the bench for Fortress to higher swimsuit the group’s protection. He nailed two threes within the recreation, together with this walk-in three over Smith Jr.
Regardless of the valiant comeback try, this was one of many worst losses of the season. Dropping to a tanking and shorthanded Hornets group is inexcusable. If it weren’t for Fox and particularly Fortress, this group would have gotten blown out. It was already mentioned earlier, however Mitch Johnson might need to have a troublesome dialog with CP3 quickly.
Lastly, listed here are the complete recreation highlights.
The Spurs tackle the Orlando Magic on the KIA Middle later tonight at 6:00 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.
