The San Antonio Spurs completed 2024 with some fireworks. The Silver and Black took it to the Los Angeles Clippers in a 122-86 win. The victory improved the Spurs’ file to 17-16, the primary time they’re heading into a brand new yr with an above .500 file because the finish of 2018 after they had been 21-17. It additionally improved San Antonio’s file in video games with extra relaxation than their opponents to 10-0.
They got here out of the gates rapidly, due to Victor Wembanyama’s 17 first-quarter factors.
Wembanyama did his injury inside and outside on his technique to a completed with 27 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and three blocks in 26 minutes. The Spurs had been capable of punish the Clippers within the paint, even with Ivica Zubac guarding the basket. The 2-man sport between Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan has turn into quite a lot of enjoyable within the final month or so.
Talking of the two-man sport, we lastly bought our SportsCenter High-10 Chris Paul to Wembanyama spotlight. The Spurs had their palms everywhere in the passing lanes grabbing 10 steals. They used that to get out on the break and have some enjoyable, placing on a present for the New Yr’s Eve crowd.
Wemby was a drive across the basket, swatting away photographs and ending on the opposite finish. This play was among the finest of the evening. What number of gamers within the league can gobble up a shot try, take it the opposite approach and dump it off to a cutter for the layup?
Working the break after a Wembanyama block must be one of many Spurs finest types of offense. It’s made even higher as a result of Wemby willingly runs the ground. Right here Paul hits him in the course of the courtroom, and his three-point capturing skill makes the Clippers have to choose him up on the line, opening up a passing lane for Stephon Fortress to chop to the ring for 2.
Fortress had a terrific sport, ending with 15 factors, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. He did most of his injury within the third quarter, attending to the basket and hitting mid-range leap photographs. Fortress has been largely efficient whereas enjoying alongside guards like Paul and Tre Jones. Seeing extra time alongside these guards and a number of the different starters might assist the rookie get again on monitor.
Keldon Johnson has been heating up recently, too. He’s attending to the basket extra and utilizing his power and contact to complete by way of contact. He’s additionally one of the vital thrilling dunkers on the Spurs. When he will get a head of steam, he really earns the “Mustang” nickname. This end was probably the most emphatic of the sport. Johnson had 17 factors and 6 boards within the win.
The fourth quarter was largely rubbish time, however typically that’s once we get to see younger gamers get into their bag. Who knew Julian Champagnie had a crossover-step again jumper in his sport? Often the wing is relegated to spot-up makes an attempt, however this off-the-dibble makes an attempt was clean.
Everybody’s favourite rubbish time prospect, Sidy Cissoko, bought in on the motion, too. The second-year wing has been cooking within the G League. He bought some NBA minutes and confirmed his mixture of athleticism and defensive skill. If he can proceed constructing his offensive sport within the G, possibly we are going to see him crack the Spurs rotation some day.
The Spurs will get a little bit of relaxation earlier than heading to Denver for a matchup with the Nuggets on Friday. Take a look at full sport highlights from the win over the Clippers beneath.
