Coming off a blowout win versus the Atlanta Hawks, the Spurs traveled to D.C. to tackle the Washington Wizards for the second time in 4 days. The Spurs have been at full power, however the Wizards have been shorthanded, lacking a number of starters. After a good first quarter the place the Spurs truly trailed by two, the silver and black turned on the afterburners by outscoring Washington 43-21 within the second, and took a 20-point lead at halftime. Hoping to place the sport away as they did versus Washington (the primary time) and Atlanta, the third quarter Spurs struck once more by getting outscored 37-29. The fourth quarter had the potential to get much more out of hand, however key buckets by De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet stored the Spurs’ lead intact. The Wizards bought inside single digits a number of instances, however the Spurs didn’t falter. They finally gained 123-114.
De’Aaron Fox led the way in which with 27 factors (10-19 FG, 5-7 3PT), seven rebounds, six assists, and a block. D-Fox was in his bag after having back-to-back single-digit scoring video games. His skill to attain at three ranges was on full show, together with draining a season-high 5 threes. At this tempo, he has the chance to seize a second all-star look.
Stepback splash! D-Fox places Bub Carrington on skates and hops again to the three-point line for the stepback three!
From the nook! Fox drives in, passes it out to Stephon Fort, and jogs to the nook for a wide-open three!
KING OF THE FOURTH. D-Fox drives in, creates house, and nails the clutch midrange jumper to provide the Spurs cushion!
Luke Kornet dropped a double-double: Season-high 20 factors and 12 rebounds to go together with a block. Luke performed a season-high 28 minutes and made essentially the most of each minute. He was setting picks, rolling to the ring, dunking lobs, grabbing offensive rebounds, and slamming residence putbacks. He continues to be probably the most underrated signings of this previous offseason, taking part in just like the glue man and strong backup heart (in some instances, a starter) that this group wanted.
First lob, first factors! Luke slams residence the lob from Devin Vassell for the Spurs’ first factors of the sport! Dev completed with 11 factors, six rebounds, an help, and a block.
Proper place, proper time! Luke cleans up the missed Dylan Harper layup and slams it residence with a Shaq-like end!
Stephon Fort dropped a double-double: 18 factors and 11 assists to go together with 5 rebounds and three steals. Steph struggled from the sphere, capturing 4 of 16, however he discovered methods to get to the free-throw line and shot 9 of 13. It was a pleasant change of tempo contemplating the dearth of whistle he’s been getting from referees this season. Even when his shot was not falling, he nonetheless dropped a number of dimes everywhere in the court docket. This development of Steph dropping double-digit assists continues to be an awesome signal of his improvement.
Dime to the nook! Steph drives in, drives a number of defenders, and finds a wide-open Harrison Barnes who drains the nook three! HB completed with 14 factors and two assists as he continues to get his shot again.
PUT HIM BACK IN THE DUNK CONTEST! Steph strips Tristan Vukcevic and slams residence the standing windmill slam on the fastbreak!
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 14 factors and 12 rebounds to go together with two assists and two blocks. Vic got here off the bench as soon as once more and performed 22 minutes as Mitch Johnson and the teaching workers proceed to have him on a minutes restriction. As cautious because the Spurs are being, one has to marvel if they are going to raise the restriction throughout one in every of their two video games in opposition to the defending champion OKC this week. Nonetheless, Vic continues to make an affect no matter his minutes.
CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE ALIEN! Vic drops Vukcevic, then takes a dribble within the paint and skies for the enormous two-hand slam!
Dimer! Vic catches the cross from Fox within the excessive publish and offers it proper again to him with an awesome bounce cross for Vic’s five hundredth profession help!
GET YOUR GETBACK WEMBY! After Vukcevic blocks Wemby’s layup out of bounds, Wemby catches the ball within the publish off the inbounds cross and spins off of Vukcevic for the slam dunk payback!
All in all, the Spurs escaped a number of rally makes an attempt from a shorthanded lottery group. Despite the fact that they held a 20-point lead, they nonetheless wanted to complete their breakfast. You can not get away with lollygagging in opposition to contenders. Regardless, the strong all-around group effort continues to place the league on discover, as they grabbed their sixth straight win. 21-7 at this level is an overachievement, particularly in comparison with final season. This week, they face OKC two instances in three days. Anticipate two bloodbaths.
Lastly, listed here are the complete sport highlights.
The Spurs return residence to tackle the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in a #1 vs #2 rematch at 7:30 P.M. on FDSN-SW.
