Coming off back-to-back wins versus the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the Spurs returned house on an eight-game successful streak to tackle the Utah Jazz. Nevertheless, De’Aaron Fox didn’t play because of adductor tightness. After each groups obtained off to a blazing begin, the Spurs led 40-32 after the primary quarter. Then, the Spurs went chilly. The Jazz’s flame was nonetheless going robust, as they outscored the Spurs 38-20 within the second. With a 10-point deficit, the Spurs tried to spark momentum, however the Jazz answered with buckets of their very own. Trailing by 11 to begin the fourth, the Spurs introduced the Frost Financial institution Heart again to life by occurring a 14-2 run to tie the sport at 106 apiece. Nevertheless, the Jazz’s scorching three-point taking pictures didn’t cease, and the Spurs shot themselves within the foot by constantly turning the ball over. Even with the momentum, the Spurs couldn’t take the lead again, and the Jazz in the end received 127-114.
Victor Wembanyama made his first begin since November 14th and dropped 32 factors (12-21 FG, 8-8 FT), seven rebounds, 5 blocks, and three assists. Regardless that he solely performed 27 minutes, Wemby made essentially the most of his first begin in over a month. After his historic block streak got here to an finish on Christmas Day, Wemby began a brand new one by swatting 5 photographs. That is the dominant Wemby efficiency Spurs followers anticipate to see when he’s within the beginning lineup. Since this ended up as a loss, anticipate him to not decelerate anytime quickly.
Too straightforward! Stephon Fortress finds Wemby chopping to the ring for a wide-open jam!
REVERSE REVERSE! Wemby makes use of the off-ball display from Julian Champagnie and finishes the lob cross from Dylan Harper with a reverse jam!
Simply lob it up there! Wemby curls round Jusuf Nurkic and catches the excessive lob cross from Devin Vassell for an alley-oop jam!
Simply lob it up there, once more! This time, Dyl finds Wemby chopping to the ring for an and-one alley-oop!
WEMBY AND-ONE POSTER! After Lauri Markannen falls for the pump pretend, Wemby drives in and posterizes Kyle Filipowski for the and-one!
Keldon Johnson dropped a double-double: 27 factors (10-15 FG, 5-7 3PT), 10 rebounds, and an help off the bench. KJ was on fireplace from three-point land and continues to offer the spark for the Spurs off the bench. At this level within the season, it’s exhausting to disregard the Sixth Man of the 12 months case he’s constructing.
Nook Specialist! KJ pump fakes the defender for a wide-open nook three within the first!
Warmth examine! KJ knocks down the three on the fastbreak for his third three of the sport!
Stephon Fortress dropped 20 factors, seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Steph obtained the beginning at level guard instead of Fox, and although he dished out dimes, he additionally struggled. He turned the ball over 4 instances, most of them being unforced errors. He additionally completed with a -30, which was by far the worst plus/minus on the crew (subsequent closest was Vassell at a -8.). Steph shall be positive; he’s simply higher suited as a combo guard for the foreseeable future.
TOUGH. Steph attracts Brice Sensabaugh within the air and finishes via contact for the and-one!
King of the Fortress! Steph drives previous Nurkic and finishes over Sensabaugh on the rim!
Devin Vassell dropped 11 factors, three rebounds, three assists, and a block. Dev struggled from the sector, however supplied the squad with strong protection. His versatility on the defensive finish permits him to protect one via 4. Count on him to bounce again towards Cleveland, a crew that he scorched from three earlier within the season.
Layup to a lob! Dev catches the ball within the paint and fools the defenders by lobbing it as a substitute of taking pictures it for Luke Kornet to slam it house! Kornet completed with seven factors, eight rebounds, an help, and a block in his first sport off the bench since Nov. 14th.
D3VIN VASS3LL. Stunning ball motion by the Spurs leads to a wide-open three from the highest of the important thing from Dev!
Dylan Harper dropped seven factors, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals. A close to triple-double off the bench for Dyl. Regardless that he struggled from the sector, Dyl is totally able to being this crew’s level guard when Fox is out. His playmaking potential is light-years forward for a rookie. It can stay curious to see if makes a begin someday this season.
Too open! Dyl attracts a crowd and skips it over to a wide-open Carter Bryant within the nook, who knocks down the three! Carter obtained 14 minutes of enjoying time and defended properly. With the inconsistent play of Harrison Barnes and the dearth of enjoying time for Jeremy Sochan, he might be getting additional minutes sooner reasonably than later.
Velocity Demon! Dyl speeds previous everybody on the fastbreak and finishes with a wide-open layup!
ANOTHER POSTER! Dyl places Filipowski within the torture chamber and slams it house for the and-one!
All in all, the Spurs didn’t should win this sport. The Jazz’s three-point taking pictures was a blistering 46%, and so they took benefit of each Spurs mistake. Additionally, a participant like Fox is necessary for closing time within the fourth. After an eight-game win streak, many followers wanted a reminder of how rapidly issues can change if you least anticipate it. A humbling loss like it will solely gas this crew, and it’ll additionally present them to respect their opponent it doesn’t matter what.
Lastly, listed below are the total sport highlights.
The Spurs tackle the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock.
