Lots has occurred since 2019. The Occasion Horizon Telescope collaboration launched the first-ever picture of a black gap, NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir carried out the primary all-female spacewalk, Rudy Gobert actually single-handedly (each palms really) shut down the 2020 NBA season, the world subsequently entered into quarantine, and Andor turned the very best Star Wars spinoff since The Mandalorian, which in flip was the very best piece of Star Wars mental property since The Empire Strikes Again.
2019 was additionally the final time our San Antonio Spurs gained a gap evening recreation. It’s arduous to imagine it’s been that lengthy because the good guys tasted victory of their season debut. Victor Wembanyama river-walked his solution to an overwhelming 40-point, 15-rebound double-double. Reigning rookie of the 12 months Stephon Citadel poured in 22 factors on an environment friendly 8 – 12 taking pictures whereas additionally clamping down on protection on the opposite finish.
After a summer season spent with Shaolin monks and Kevin Garnett (an ideal paradigm of yin and yang), Victor Wembanyama confirmed off an ideal mix of affected person, zenlike shot choice and unbridled, rabid aggression on the rim. To hunt out Shaolin monks is to ask serene nirvana; to hunt out Kevin Garnett is to ask power drink ranges of chaos. There are two wolves inside all of us: Kevin Garnett might be head-butting the opposite one.
WELCOME TO THE NBA, DYLAN HARPER! Keep awhile and placed on some John Tesh—for the vibes. Buh buh buhbuhbuhbuh buh buh buhbuhbuhbuhbuuuuh buh-buh-buh-buh buhbaaaa
Stephon Citadel out right here barrelling via visitors like a portly squirrel barrelling via my spouse’s vegetable backyard. For an thought of how a lot the entrance workplace values Citadel, there have been so many rumors final season of groups reaching out to the Spurs to see in the event that they had been fascinated with buying and selling their prized rookie level guard. Rumor additionally has it Brian Wright laughed so arduous earlier than hanging up that he inadvertently three-way butt dialed the Lakers’ GM and the Mavericks’ GM—and the remainder is, effectively, historical past. I fully made up that story, so be happy to cite me.
It’s solely opening evening, and Victor Wembanyama is already pulling out the George Bluth “NO TOUCHING” transfer on the refs.
Stephon Citadel actually has a vivid future, but it surely’s price mentioning what one 12 months of enjoying behind Chris Paul can do. Right here, the younger level guard channeled his interior level god, dishing a reduction double verify to Devin Vassell. Quantity 5 had his fingerprints throughout this recreation, allotting 6 assists, grabbing 7 rebounds, and including 2 steals for good measure. Whereas his distinctive rookie 12 months highlighted his pro-ready, mature recreation, Citadel will look to take the subsequent step and turn out to be an All-Star stage participant because the Spurs’ ground common.
By the point defenders are questioning if this 7-foot leviathan goes to cross them up, step previous them, leap over them, or sing Ok-Pop Demon Hunters songs, Wembanyama is taking a step-back three. Swoosh. Oh, he’s performed hidin’, now he’s shining.
Citadel’s steal and rating represented 1 of 10 steals the Spurs had for the evening. Their nonetheless very early playoff hopes will in the end relaxation on how effectively the gamers on the ground gel defensively. If Wednesday evening was any indication, the Silver and Black’s protection will likely be a formidable drive embodied by a sea of flailing arms and younger legs sporting down their opponents.
Space 51? Positive. It’s catchy. However maaaybe if Wembanyama wore pink footwear (though I do like these hazard orange, Phoenix Suns period Boris Diaw lookalike kicks), we will workshop “Huge Crimson and Barbacoa”? I don’t endorse Huge Crimson and barbacoa, nonetheless. Simply give me barbacoa. I don’t significantly have a style for one thing that’s described to have “a singular orange and lemon-oil taste”—THEN WHY IS IT CALLED BIG RED?!
Sending everybody out on an absolute excessive observe with this crowd-pleasing, rim-rocking reverse jam by Victor Wembanyama. We’re so again.
In the event you missed the sport since you had been too busy rating Jedi (trace: Obi-Wan Kenobi is each high three and backside 50—like how do you lose to long-in-the-tooth Rely Dooku TWICE), listed below are the full-game highlights:
Subsequent up, the Spurs head to New Orleans to tackle the Pelicans on Friday, October 24, 2025.
