San Antonio’s Thursday matchup with the Hawks was not for the faint of coronary heart. After an entertaining opening two quarters and a chaotic second half, the Spurs prevailed in time beyond regulation 133-126 due to a unbelievable efficiency by Victor Wembanyama and a Chris Paul dagger, however needed to undergo to tug off the win.
Earlier than the late-game insanity, there was a motive to pay additional consideration to this matchup. The Spurs lastly bought to debut the beginning lineup many predicted could be their staple and it couldn’t have gone a lot better. The principle motive for the unbelievable begin was Victor Wembanyama’s stellar play on each ends, however Wemby’s efficiency was facilitated by a unit that had everybody taking part in at a excessive stage. The threes have been falling (apart from Harrison Barnes’) and the inside protection was super from a San Antonio workforce that got here out able to play. Because the benches checked in, the added depth that the Silver and Black has with everybody wholesome was in full show. Mitch Johnson went with a 10-man rotation with Charles Bassey as his backup heart and the second unit did nicely whereas Chris Paul and Wembanyama rested. As soon as the star huge man returned, he picked up the place he had left off, however the lead was in some way solely seven after one.
Not profiting from a great first quarter to create severe separation got here again to hang-out the Spurs. The Hawks upped the depth on protection and similar to they did in opposition to the Timberwolves, the Silver and Black didn’t match the physicality. The offense stagnated with the ball spending an excessive amount of time within the perimeter and the turnovers piled up shortly after a crisp opening body. The lead disappeared instantly and Atlanta was up one after only a minute of play. Larry Nance Jr. hit some exterior pictures, as Coach Quin Snyder realized he could be open with Wemby patrolling the paint, however the Spurs responded to that preliminary onslaught. Sadly, a second wave of aggression by the guests got here quickly after, this time on the opposite finish, with Trae Younger torching the protection and discovering Clint Capela open inside persistently. The guests led by as many as 11 earlier than a robust finish of the half by San Antonio minimize it to 6.
The inside protection continued to be there for the Spurs after the break, as they hassle pictures at any time when the Hawks tried to get near the bucket. On the opposite finish, they have been taking part in with tempo and hitting jumpers. San Antonio bought again in it after which it grew to become a sport wherein neither workforce may impose its will. A very good stretch was adopted by a nasty one, typically individually however at all times collectively. Atlanta tried to run after misses and turnovers and once they may, they regarded like they may draw back at any second. Then the Silver and Black would transfer the ball, execute and hit some pictures and so they have been those who appeared primed for a run. Taking part in a small lineup that includes Jeremy Sochan at heart regarded genius on some possessions and inexplicable on others. It was a complicated third body that resulted in a detailed sport and set the stage for a wild end.
The fourth quarter and time beyond regulation have been a group of highlights. The Hawks’ perimeter gamers dominated early, however Victor Wembanyama responded by getting near the bucket. Atlanta upped the aggression once more, denied passes to Wemby inside, and went on a run. Each groups hit huge pictures and made some unhealthy errors. The Spurs had a chance to stand up three on the ultimate moments on a few Victor Wembanyama free throws, however he missed one and De’Andre Hunter dunked on him after the timeout to take the sport to time beyond regulation, the place the craziness would proceed. Wembanyama took over the additional interval, scoring eight of the workforce’s 13 whole factors however the guests stayed shut. It took a dagger three-pointer from Chris Paul, who earlier had left the court docket with what appeared an arm harm, to lastly seal the win and get the younger Spurs above .500 as soon as once more after a particularly entertaining sport in opposition to a strong opponent.
Play of the sport
Somebody may make a spotlight reel for Victor Wembanyama with this sport’s footage alone, however we’ll give Play of the Recreation to CP3 for the dagger.
Recreation notes
The brand new beginning lineup options the three core gamers the Spurs at the moment have. Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell all shined. Wemby completed with 42 factors, six rebounds, 5 assists, two steals and 4 blocks. Sochan guarded Younger nicely and had 20 environment friendly factors, eight rebounds and 4 assists. Vassell, in his first begin of the season, dropped 23 factors on 16 pictures. Everybody appeared blissful throughout postgame interviews about having the three younger guys and the 2 veterans additions beginning, so it’s in all probability going to proceed to occur, which is an effective factor. The Spurs want to determine what they’ve.
The veteran starters had very totally different video games. Paul had unhealthy moments however completed with 12 factors, seven rebounds, eight assists and the game-winner. Barnes missed all his threes and wasn’t on the ground within the clutch and time beyond regulation. Barnes received’t let a nasty evening have an effect on him. He can be high-quality. So will Paul, who didn’t injure his arm and requested to be subbed out as a precaution.
Keldon Johnson bought Barnes’ minutes with the closing unit. He had a well-rounded stat line, ending with 11 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and two steals, and he had a number of good defensive possessions. However Devin Vassell additionally talked about that it was nice to only have his power round, so his impression may transcend the numbers and any particular play. There could be veterans on the roster now, however Keldon remains to be a pacesetter to his teammates.
The 2 former starters, Julian Champagnie and Stephon Fort, didn’t have standout video games. Champagnie was higher, providing his traditional strong protection and making a few threes. Fort had a great stretch adopted by numerous errors, trying just like the 20-year-old rookie that he’s.
Having everybody wholesome provides the Spurs a robust rotation, however the backup heart spot and to a lesser diploma the backup level guard spot are nonetheless a priority. Tre Jones is clearly out of rhythm after his accidents. Charles Bassey makes performs and brings a stage of power and athleticism that Zach Collins can’t carry, however he’s nonetheless studying the best way to learn the sport because the defensive anchor. These two didn’t get numerous minutes. If they’ll enhance, Mitch Johnson will have the ability to go along with a 10-man rotation of strong NBA gamers.
Nobody ought to blame De’Andre Hunter for beginning down the very best rim protector on the planet after dunking on him, but it surely was hilarious to see Wembanyama dominate after and Hunter disappear. Wemby mentioned after the sport that the state of affairs motivated him, so in hindsight, it in all probability wasn’t a good suggestion to taunt him.
If the season ended right this moment, the Spurs could be getting the sixteenth general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft from the Hawks, from the Dejounte Murray commerce. Hopefully Atlanta will slide down the standings and provides San Antonio a lottery choose, however the East could be too weak for that to occur.
Subsequent sport: vs. Portland Path Blazers on Saturday
The Spurs beat the Blazers on the street up to now week, however the sport was nearer than it in all probability ought to have been. It could be nice to have a convincing win in opposition to them at dwelling this time.
