The San Antonio Spurs have been driving excessive for the final two weeks. Within the absence of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Fort, the workforce has secured huge wins and earned its spot within the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. It appeared like that scorching streak was persevering with in Minneapolis till a fourth-quarter collapse handed the Spurs a 125-112 loss in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
There have been loads of highlights for each groups. The distinction ended up being the recent taking pictures of the Wolves down the stretch. Minnesota shot 46% from three, pulling down 17 triples, whereas the Spurs shot solely 24%, hitting 8 threes.
It was uncommon to see a 3 go down for the Spurs on Sunday night time. This play was pretty comical in the mean time. Nobody picks up Luke Kornet, so he brings the ball up in transition to seek out Harrison Barnes on the kickout. After an aggressive closeout by Donte DiVincenzo, Barnes resets and knocks down an open three.
Later within the first quarter, Kelly Olynyk acquired open off a Devin Vassell drive. Vassell attracts three Minnesota defenders earlier than kicking it out to Olynyk for the triple. Olynyk is often generally known as a stretch huge, however has solely shot 30.8% from deep for San Antonio this season. A few of which will need to do along with his sparse taking part in time, however the huge man has struggled to discover a good rhythm from deep up to now.
Dylan Harper saved up his strong play with one other robust efficiency in opposition to Minnesota. He constantly took the ball to the ring, even with former Defensive Participant of the 12 months Rudy Gobert defending the rim. Harper had 17 factors on 8-12 taking pictures off the bench.
Harper’s poise and ending means for a rookie are spectacular. Right here, Harper’s preliminary dig in on Naz Reid disrupts his deal with, permitting Vassell to seize the steal. It is a powerful catch and end, going full velocity in transition with a defender in your again. Harper makes it look straightforward.
Vassell didn’t have fairly the recent taking pictures night time as he did in opposition to the Denver Nuggets. He had 22 factors on 50% taking pictures from the sector, however he solely hit one in all his 9 three-pointers. The Spurs desperately wanted his threes to fall in opposition to the Wolves. This mid-range jumper within the third quarter was stunning, although. This behind-the-back dribble to cease on a dime and nail the shot is spectacular.
Keldon Johnson offered a scoring punch off the bench. He had 22 factors and eight rebounds whereas taking pictures 8-12 from the sector. He did a bit of little bit of all the things, as he was one in all two Spurs to hit a number of three-pointers. He did most of his injury within the paint. He’s so good at utilizing his energy to attract contact, whereas nonetheless having the contact to complete on the rim.
De’Aaron Fox carried the offensive load for the Spurs as soon as once more. He had 25 factors within the loss. He continues to be nice at weaving his approach into the paint and creatively ending across the basket. On prime of that, he’s taking pictures the ball fairly properly, hitting 35.9% of his threes to begin the season.
This was an amazing play (and edit by the Spurs advertising and marketing workforce). Fox pushes the ball out between two defenders, realizing he has the velocity to catch as much as it, after which finishes on the rim. It’s a play solely essentially the most explosive guards may make within the half-court. Fox suits the factors.
On prime of his ending means, Fox can knock down threes and hit artistic photographs within the mid-range. He’s a real three-level scorer. You’d need to suppose that when the workforce is at full energy, he’s getting even simpler appears to be like on the basket.
The Spurs will head again to San Antonio for a one-game homestand in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night time. Watch the video beneath for full sport highlights.
