Coming off a tricky loss in opposition to the Houston Rockets, the Spurs traveled to Salt Lake Metropolis to tackle the Utah Jazz. Luke Kornet didn’t play resulting from an adductor harm, and Lauri Markkanen didn’t play resulting from reconditioning. After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Spurs began the second quarter on a 15-0 run. They outscored the Jazz 34-22 within the quarter and took a 12-point lead into halftime. The Jazz mounted a comeback and tied the sport, however the Spurs nonetheless held a seven-point lead going into the fourth. That lead shortly dissipated, and the sport was tied as soon as once more with 10:28 remaining. Then, the Spurs lastly locked in on each ends to close the Jazz out. After a 9-0 run by the silver and black, the Jazz countered with bits of scoring. Nonetheless, the lead stored rising, and De’Aaron Fox caught fireplace from three. The Spurs outscored the Jazz 29-17 within the quarter, closed the sport on a 9-0 run, and finally gained 126-109.
De’Aaron Fox led the best way with 31 factors (10-13 FG, 6-9 3PT, 5-6 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a block. D-Fox dropped his highest scoring sport since December third versus Orlando, and most of his harm got here within the fourth. The previous Clutch Participant of the Yr cashed in 11 factors within the quarter, together with swishing three three-pointers within the span of two minutes. With out his clutch heroics, this younger Spurs crew could have as soon as once more struggled to shut out a sport during which they held a double-digit lead.
D3’AARON! D-Fox knocks down the nook three early within the first!
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 26 factors (9-14 FG, 4-7 3PT, 4-4 FT) and 14 rebounds to associate with 5 blocks and three assists. After struggling in opposition to Houston, Vic shot effectively from the sector and was even higher defensively. He recorded his first five-block sport since December twenty seventh in opposition to the Lakers. So far as the buckets go, Vic scored within the paint, from the midrange, from the three, and even transformed all 4 of his free throws. Due to Kornet’s harm, Wemby performed 33 minutes, which is probably the most he’s performed since November 14th versus Golden State.
W3MBY! Vic will get his early scoring going with a 3 within the first!
AND-ONE! Wemby secures his personal missed shot and fights by way of two defenders for the and-one!
AND-ONE: FOUR-POINT PLAY EDITION! Wemby drains the nook three and will get fouled by Jusuf Nurkic for the four-point play!
ALIEN BLOCK! Wemby barely has to leap to not solely block Nurkic’s shot, however pin it off the glass for a corralled rebound multi function movement!
DEJA VU! Wemby snatches Kyle Filipowski’s shot out of mid-air for the block and rebound! He pulled out the NBA Avenue Vol.2 turbo block!
FROM THE OTHER CORNER! Wemby drains the transition three in entrance of the Jazz bench!
Keldon Johnson dropped 21 factors, 5 assists, a rebound, a steal, and a block. KJ tried a season-high 19 photographs and drained 9 of them. There was a stretch within the fourth quarter the place Mitch Johnson deployed a small-ball lineup the place KJ performed middle and guarded Nurkic. KJ held his personal and drained buckets by slicing off screens and utilizing his patented spin transfer, driving within the put up. He’s at present one of many favorites for Sixth Man of the Yr.
KJ BIG BODY AND-ONE! After the block by Dylan Harper, the Spurs pushed the ball up the courtroom in transition to a leaking KJ who fights by way of the contact from Cody Williams for the and-one!
Give that man a map! Talking of spin strikes, KJ makes use of his spin transfer on Filipowski and drains the hook shot over him!
Julian Champagnie dropped 17 factors (6-10 FG, 5-9 3PT), three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. After catching fireplace in Houston with 27 factors on eight threes, Julian continued his scorching taking pictures in opposition to the Jazz. He offered the Spurs with a scoring increase within the first quarter, swishing most of his threes. He has finished a wonderful job since Devin Vassell’s harm, and it seems to be like he could obtain an invitation to the 3-Level Contest throughout All-Star Weekend.
On the board! Julian scores the primary factors for the Spurs on a sniper three from the wing!
Nook Specialist! Ju knocks down his third three of the sport from the nook!
Stephon Fort dropped 16 factors, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Steph performed a season-high 38 minutes and stuffed the stat sheet. Regardless of struggling from the sector, he did an honest job limiting Utah’s guards from having an explosive sport. Steph additionally received his cash’s value on the free-throw line, making seven of 10 makes an attempt. It’s clear Steph continues to be making an attempt discover consistency on his shot, however this crew’s shooters will proceed to offer him assists.
Holding them sincere! Steph knocks down the three-pointer after the defender left an excessive amount of area!
DAGGER TOMAHAWK! Steph leaks out for an explosive tomahawk jam!
Carter Bryant dropped seven factors, 4 rebounds, an help, and a block in simply 13 minutes. The sport is slowing down for Carter, as he confirmed a strong 3&D efficiency in a brief burst. Regardless of who was in entrance of him, he confirmed no concern defensively. So far as the offense goes, he drained a 3 and pulled out this eurostep transfer on a fastbreak layup!
This was a pleasant bounce-back win for the silver and black. Even when it regarded just like the Spurs would possibly blow one other sport during which they held a double-digit lead, the crew buckled down defensively within the fourth and used their two greatest gamers on offense down the stretch. The Fox/Wemby pick-and-roll was lethal, and it would spark extra utilization for the remainder of the season, particularly within the fourth. Bear in mind the chilly streak of video games the place the Spurs couldn’t purchase a bucket from three? Properly, 18 made threes in opposition to the Jazz has cemented a scorching streak of at the very least 14 made threes within the final week.
Lastly, listed below are the complete sport highlights.
The Spurs return house to tackle the New Orleans Pelicans this Sunday at 6:00 P.M (CST) on FDSN-SW.
