Coming off a loss to the Portland Path Blazers, the Spurs traveled to Memphis to tackle the Grizzlies. Despite the fact that Devin Vassell would stay out on account of harm, Victor Wembanyama made his return off the bench on a minutes restriction. The Grizzlies can be with out Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and a number of other different key gamers. In what can be one of many uglier capturing video games of the season, the Spurs managed to have a 10-point lead after the primary quarter and an eight-point lead at halftime. Nonetheless, the Grizzlies began to catch hearth early within the third and launched into a 13-0 run. The Spurs would path by one coming into the fourth.
After falling behind by seven, the Spurs managed to make a run due to Keldon Johnson and Victor Wembanyama. After a mini KJ run, the Spurs ran their offense via Wemby throughout the center of the fourth, and he gave the Spurs a one-point lead with simply over three minutes remaining. Nonetheless, as a result of minutes restriction set by the medical employees, Wemby wouldn’t return. Albeit an unpopular determination, the Spurs managed to remain afloat due to a key De’Aaron Fox sequence that gave the Spurs a four-point lead with 1:39 remaining. That’s when Cam Spencer took over. He drained 5 straight factors for the Grizzlies, and the Spurs elected to not name a timeout with two remaining. Jeremy Sochan missed a possible game-winning three-pointer, and the Spurs have been compelled to foul Jock Landale. Nonetheless, Landale missed each free throws, and the Spurs had the ball with 15 seconds left. As soon as once more, regardless of having two timeouts, Mitch Johnson elected to not name a timeout. Fox dribbled into the paint, drew 4 defenders, and acquired his shot blocked. The Grizzlies threw the ball forward into the frontcourt, and the Spurs weren’t capable of foul in time because the clock expired. The Spurs misplaced a heartbreaker 106-105.
Victor Wembanyama returned from harm and dropped 30 factors, 5 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in simply 21 minutes off the bench. After beginning gradual, Wemby reminded the league that he’s an offensive machine, particularly within the second half. From the paint, to the midrange, and to the three-point line, Wemby was draining buckets all around the courtroom. If he weren’t on a minutes restriction, followers may need been in retailer for one of many best performances of his profession.
Wemby drained three threes within the contest, and this one got here from the wing early within the second quarter!
AND-ONE! Wemby fights via two defenders for the robust and-one end!
Fader! Wemby goes to work within the excessive put up and fades away for the robust jumper!
Go to work once more! Wemby places the put up strikes on Santi Aldama and finishes off the glass!
W3MBY! Wemby’s third three comes late within the fourth on a fastbreak to take the lead!
Julian Champagnie dropped 23 factors (7-11 FG, 5-8 3PT), eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Ever since Julian changed Vassell within the beginning lineup on account of harm, Julian has solely had one off-shooting evening. His confidence is rising with every recreation, and it has improved not solely his capturing but in addition his protection. If he retains this tempo up, followers may see him within the All-Star 3-Level Shootout. Julian knocked down 4 of his 5 threes within the first quarter, together with this one in transition!
Stephon Fort dropped 15 factors, eight rebounds, 4 assists, and two steals. Despite the fact that he stuffed the field rating, Steph struggled as soon as once more, capturing 5 of 14 and turning the ball over 5 instances. He did damage his knee whereas guarding Jaren Jackson Jr., however he continued to play via the ache. It’s unclear if he’ll play towards the Lakers.
STEPH SLAM! Steph cuts into the paint and finishes on the rim with a one-handed jam!
STEPH SLAM x2! One other lower, one other slam! This time, Steph catches the ball on the prime of the important thing and takes a affected person dribble earlier than he detonates!
STEPH SLAM x3! After nice protection by Jeremy Sochan and the steal, Champagnie finds a wide-open Steph underneath the basket, who explodes with two fingers! Jeremy had an ideal recreation defensively, and he introduced vitality and hustle on the boards.
Keldon Johnson dropped 13 factors, 5 rebounds, and a steal. KJ struggled capturing 5 of 13, however made that spark plug impression as soon as once more. He supplied some key buckets within the fourth quarter when it appeared just like the Grizzlies may draw back. He additionally made historical past by passing Marco Belinelli on the all-time bench scoring record for the Spurs and is now quantity 5!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 9 factors, eight assists, 5 rebounds, and a loopy block. Fox struggled from the sphere, capturing 4 of 18. After beginning 1 of 12, Fox made up for his lackadaisical efficiency by offering the squad with a possible game-changing sequence. After it appeared just like the Grizzlies have been about to tie the sport with just below two minutes remaining, Fox hustled down the courtroom on the fastbreak to chasedown swat an open Jaylen Wells off the backboard! He then swished a wide-open floater within the lane to take a four-point lead! Sadly, his fourth-quarter magic ran out on the finish, nevertheless it was nonetheless an inspiring effort down one.
All in all, this was a heartbreaking however embarrassing loss. The Grizzlies have been out a number of starters, and the Spurs have been largely at full energy. Despite the fact that Wemby was on a minutes restriction, it stays a troublesome determination to look at this group lose the sport in crunch time when he may’ve been inserted again into the sport as a decoy. No matter Wemby not returning, the choice to not name a timeout a number of instances when you’ve gotten two remaining appears questionable. One other winnable recreation wasted, and the Lakers are on the town for a SEGABABA.
Lastly, listed below are the total recreation highlights.
The Spurs return dwelling for a SEGABABA versus the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 P.M. (CST) on ESPN/FDSN-SW.
