Coming off a blowout victory towards the Phoenix Suns, the Spurs took on the Sacramento Kings for the second I-35 Sequence sport on the Moody Heart in Austin, TX. The Spurs began sizzling with an 11-0 run. Nonetheless, the Kings crawled again to inside 4 factors by the tip of the primary quarter. Regardless of the Spurs’ sizzling scoring, the Kings have been in a position to maintain tempo and trailed 73-65 at halftime and even took the lead within the third. Little by little, the Spurs rebuilt the result in 11 after three. An early run within the fourth put the sport away, and the Spurs gained 139-122.
Victor Wembanyama led the best way with a double-double: 28 factors (11-20 FG) and 15 rebounds to go together with six assists, 4 blocks, and a steal. After a strong outing towards the Suns, Wemby turned it up towards the Kings. There appeared to be some further motivation as a result of his childhood pal/teammate, Maxime Raynaud, matched up towards him from the beginning. Nonetheless, Wemby dominated on each ends with a number of dunks and blocks. The All-Star starter will look to proceed his MVP marketing campaign towards All-Star Jalen Duren on Monday (assuming he finally ends up enjoying 65 video games).
NOT IN HIS HOUSE! Wemby swats Russell Westbrook’s shot out of the air, and it kickstarts a quick break that ends in a bucket for De’Aaron Fox!
FOX TO THE ALIEN! D-Fox finds a slicing Wemby on the lob, and he finishes over DeMar DeRozan!
Wemby dime! Wemby leads the fastbreak and finds a wide-open Carter Bryant, who knocks down the transition three!
EXCUSE ME? Wemby pulls off a between-the-legs Smitty transfer on Raynaud, and he finishes with a two-handed slam!
WITH THE LEFT! Vic drives into the paint and finishes with the left hand previous Treasured Achiuwa!
DUNK CONTEST 2027 PARTICIPANT? Vic drives previous Raynaud and finishes with a clockwise jam!
One other lob, one other Wemby slam! This time, Devin Vassell takes the handoff from Vic, and he fakes his jumpshot right into a go for a wide-open Vic slam!
Stephon Citadel dropped 18 factors (6-9 FG, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and a block. Since getting back from the All-Star break, Steph has shot 70% from the sector. His resilience in slashing has additionally rewarded him with extra free throws. Ever since he carried the offensive load for his squad within the Rising Stars Problem, his shot has barely improved. The reigning Rookie of the Yr will look to proceed his sizzling capturing towards a stingy Detroit staff and MVP candidate Cade Cunningham.
Right here he comes to save lots of the day! After the missed Wemby three, Steph flies in for the putback end!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 factors (7-11 FG), 5 assists, two rebounds, and a steal. After the new begin, D-Fox struggled to maintain the ball as he turned it over 4 occasions within the first quarter. Nonetheless, he was nonetheless a +8. After the turnover struggles, D-Fox began driving and discovering his shot. Anytime he runs a pick-and-roll, the protection more often than not provides him an excessive amount of house to function for an open floater or midrange. His P&R with Wemby is lethal, because it provides him much more house to function. The two-time All-Star will look to proceed to offer the much-needed scoring punch for this younger staff because the schedule will get more durable.
One other have a look at the fastbreak kickstarted by Wemby’s large block: D-Fox performs robust protection on Westbrook and runs the ground for a wide-open layup because of Julian Champagnie’s bounce go from the nook!
PICKPOCKET MASTER! D-Fox picks Keegan Murray’s pocket and finishes on the opposite finish with a wide-open jam!
Keldon Johnson dropped 18 factors (6-12 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-4 FT) and a rebound in 21 minutes off the bench. Though he was loud and demonstrative, KJ’s 18 was a sneaky 18. Whereas a lot of the consideration was on Wemby, Fox, and Citadel, KJ battled early capturing struggles and began splashing dwelling open threes. His willingness to drive into the paint when the staff wants him to create offense normally ends in a tricky bucket. The Sixth Man of the Yr candidate will look to proceed the silver and black’s spark plug vitality off the bench.
Nook Specialist! Keldon knocks down the open three from the nook in entrance of the Kings’ bench!
Dylan Harper dropped 12 factors (5-9 FG), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 23 minutes off the bench. After exhibiting out within the Rising Stars Problem with Steph, Dyl continues to showcase his expertise as a combo guard. On most groups choosing within the lottery, Dyl could be a ROTY candidate and main the offense. Nonetheless, his position off the bench has supplied much-needed guard play when D-Fox and Steph are on the bench. As an alternative of main a lottery/play-in staff, he is a vital piece to the puzzle for this contending Spurs staff.
Reduce and slam! After feeding Wemby within the submit, Dyl goes to set a slip display and cuts to the basket to obtain a rewarding Wemby go for the open jam!
Don’t sleep on his hops! Dyl drives in from the nook and finishes with a ferocious slam! The dunk was so astonishing that even Vic couldn’t assist however look amazed!
Julian Champagnie dropped eight factors, 4 rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Julian has began video games and has come off the bench this season, however for now, plainly he’ll begin for the remainder of the season alongside Devin Vassell on the ahead positions. They each have performed three positions this season (SG, SF, PF), and each are versatile sufficient to protect at both place. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that Julian is taller and a greater rebounder. Watch him intercept the go from Westbrook and dash to the cup for a poster fastbreak slam over Murray!
One other angle on the slam!
Regardless of letting the Kings come again within the second, the Spurs saved their sizzling capturing tempo and opened the floodgates within the fourth. For the primary time, the Spurs gained each of their I-35 video games. Additionally, they’ve now gained 40 video games earlier than dropping 20, which normally means they’re a real contender (91% of the time, championship groups have gained 40 video games earlier than dropping 20). Solely the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Detroit Pistons have met that mark this season, and they’re each main their respective conferences. As talked about earlier, Detroit awaits the Spurs’ arrival on Monday.
Lastly, listed below are the complete sport highlights.
The Spurs face a tricky check on the street towards the Detroit Pistons this Monday at 6:00 P.M. (CST) on Peacock/NBCSN.
