OffRtg: 117.2 (9) DefRtg: 111.8 (5) NetRtg: +5.4 (8) Tempo: 100.0 (26)
The Spurs received their first three video games with out Victor Wembanyama and had a double-digit, second-half lead in Phoenix on Sunday, however then couldn’t get stops over the ultimate 23 minutes.
Three takeaways
1. With Stephon Citadel additionally out for the final three video games, Julian Champagnie and Luke Kornet have been within the beginning lineup. The brand new group was outscored by 9 factors in its 32 minutes (permitting 82 on 67 defensive possessions) over the three video games, however bench minutes had been huge in wins over the Grizzlies and Hawks. Keldon Johnson appears to be the most important beneficiary of Wembanyama’s absence, averaging 17.8 factors on 65% taking pictures during the last 4.
2. Johnson continues to do most of his harm within the paint, the place he’s shot 64-for-94 (68.1%), seventh greatest amongst 106 gamers with at the least 75 paint makes an attempt. The Spurs outscored their opponents by 34 factors within the restricted space over their first three video games with out Wembanyama earlier than struggling to complete inside in Phoenix on Sunday. They nonetheless ranked third in restricted-area differential (plus-10.3 factors per recreation).
3. The Spurs trailed the Grizzlies by some extent with 2 1/2 minutes left on Tuesday, however then closed the sport on an 11-0 run, with Harrison Barnes scoring the primary seven of these 11 factors. Barnes has additionally picked up among the slack in Wembanyama’s absence: the 33-year-old is registering one of the best marks of his 14-year profession in 2-point share (66%), 3-point share (45.2%) and free throw share (90%).
Developing: The Spurs’ loss in Phoenix on Sunday was the beginning of a stretch the place they’re enjoying seven of eight video games on the highway, and their present, four-game journey consists of their first conferences with each the Nuggets and Wolves. The Spurs had been certainly one of two groups (the Wolves had been the opposite) with two wins in Denver final season.
