Wembanyama, Spurs beat Thunder 132-118 to snap 5-game skid
SAN ANTONIO (AP) San Antonio rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama punctuated snapping a five-game skid by shouting an explicative into a live house microphone to let Spurs fans know how much he missed playing in front of them.
“I think just let him be him,” San Antonio point guard Tre Jones said, laughing. “We don’t want to change that. Look where it’s gotten him to this point.”
Sound strategy given the historic start for the 20-year-old.
Wembanyama had 28 points and 12 rebounds, Devin Vassell also scored 28 points and the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-118 on Thursday night.
Wembanyama added seven assists, five blocks and two assists while shooting 9 for 17 from the field and 5 for 7 on 3-pointers while playing the entire fourth quarter.
He is the first player in NBA history with 10 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five 3-pointers in a game.
“It’s a lot of mental,” Wembanyama said “You know Kobe (Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers star) said to win a game, it mostly takes shots, big shots, because they don’t call like any fouls. It’s not as much the physical battle. Even though in defense it’s 90 percent effort, but offensively it’s a lot of mental.”
San Antonio returned to the Frost Bank Center after finishing 1-8 on their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points for Oklahoma City. Jalen Williams added 23, and Chet Holmgren had 23.
Oklahoma City (41-18) dropped a game behind Minnesota (42-17) atop the Western Conference. The Spurs (12-48) are last in the West, but have beaten the Timberwolves and Thunder in the past month.
“It’s just another reminder that this is the NBA,” Holmgren said. “No team is in the NBA for no reason. No player is in the NBA for no reason. Any team can beat another on any given night regardless of record or anything. They came out confident. Part of that was them, part of that was us. We should be better the next one.”
Jeremy Sochan added 21 points after failing to score in the Spurs’ previous game.
Wembanyama punctuated back-to-back 3-pointers in the final 3 1/2 minutes with a blocked shot he captured in his hand on Chet Holmgren’s two-point attempt at the top of the key.
“He obviously is not afraid to put himself out there,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “He will take shots and he is not afraid. He is not worried if he misses it or what the consequences are or anything like that. He likes those moments.”
Holmgren had a head start in the battle between Rookie of the Year candidates. Holmgren made a 3-pointer in the opening minutes as Wembanyama charged at him with his right arm fully extended. Wembanyama was limited to one rebound and missed his first two attempts as Holmgren defended.
The centers traded plays after that, including a series of possessions in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
“They came out with a lot of confidence,” Holmgren said. “A lot of guys stepped up and hit big shots. Credit to them for coming ready to play.”
Wembanyama lowered his shoulder to push past Holmgren and score on a short hook shot. Holmgren followed by rolling off a pick to lose Wembanyama for an uncontested dunk. Wembanyama then made a 3-pointer over Holmgren.
As for his postgame slip, Wembanyama laughed and said he is still adjusting.
UP NEXT
Thunder: At Phoenix on Sunday night.
Spurs: Host Indiana on Sunday night.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Chet Holmgren vs. Victor Wembanyama (Josh Giddey gains possession) | |||
11:43 | Devin Vassell blocks Josh Giddey's two point driving layup | |||
11:41 | Tre Jones defensive rebound | |||
11:30 | Devin Vassell misses three point jump shot | |||
11:24 | Devin Vassell offensive rebound | |||
11:24 | +2 | Devin Vassell makes two point putback dunk | 0-2 | |
11:20 | +3 | Luguentz Dort makes three point jump shot (Jalen Williams assists) | 3-2 | |
10:55 | Victor Wembanyama misses two point driving layup | |||
10:51 | Jalen Williams defensive rebound | |||
10:50 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses two point running finger roll layup | |||
10:48 | Devin Vassell defensive rebound | |||
10:45 | Jalen Williams personal foul (Victor Wembanyama draws the foul) | |||
10:34 | Josh Giddey shooting foul (Julian Champagnie draws the foul) | |||
10:34 | +1 | Julian Champagnie makes regular free throw 1 of 3 | 3-3 | |
10:34 | +1 | Julian Champagnie makes regular free throw 2 of 3 | 3-4 | |
10:34 | +1 | Julian Champagnie makes regular free throw 3 of 3 | 3-5 | |
10:28 | Josh Giddey turnover (lost ball) (Tre Jones steals) | |||
10:22 | Devin Vassell misses two point jump shot | |||
10:19 | Chet Holmgren defensive rebound | |||
10:12 | +3 | Chet Holmgren makes three point running pullup jump shot | 6-5 | |
9:54 | Tre Jones misses two point driving floating jump shot | |||
9:52 | Chet Holmgren defensive rebound | |||
9:46 | Victor Wembanyama shooting foul (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws the foul) | |||
9:46 | +1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 7-5 | |
9:46 | +1 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 8-5 | |
9:36 | +2 | Devin Vassell makes two point driving layup (Victor Wembanyama assists) | 8-7 | |
9:24 | +2 | Chet Holmgren makes two point driving finger roll layup | 10-7 | |
9:24 | Victor Wembanyama defensive goaltending violation | |||
9:07 | Jeremy Sochan misses two point jump shot | |||
9:04 | Chet Holmgren defensive rebound | |||
8:57 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses two point stepback jump shot | |||
8:52 | Victor Wembanyama defensive rebound | |||
8:47 | +3 | Devin Vassell makes three point jump shot (Victor Wembanyama assists) | 10-10 | |
8:34 | Victor Wembanyama shooting foul (Chet Holmgren draws the foul) | |||
8:34 | +1 | Chet Holmgren makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 11-10 | |
8:34 | +1 | Chet Holmgren makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 12-10 | |
8:23 | Victor Wembanyama misses two point driving layup | |||
8:21 | Luguentz Dort defensive rebound | |||
8:13 | Victor Wembanyama blocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's two point driving layup | |||
8:10 | Victor Wembanyama defensive rebound | |||
7:54 | +3 | Jeremy Sochan makes three point jump shot (Devin Vassell assists) | 12-13 | |
7:41 | +2 | Jalen Williams makes two point cutting dunk (Josh Giddey assists) | 14-13 | |
7:32 | +2 | Jeremy Sochan makes two point driving layup (Tre Jones assists) | 14-15 | |
7:18 | Victor Wembanyama blocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's two point driving layup | |||
7:16 | Julian Champagnie defensive rebound | |||
7:14 | Julian Champagnie misses three point running jump shot | |||
7:10 | Tre Jones offensive rebound | |||
7:02 | +2 | Victor Wembanyama makes two point dunk (Devin Vassell assists) | 14-17 | |
7:02 | Thunder 60 second timeout | |||
6:47 | +2 | Jalen Williams makes two point pullup jump shot | 16-17 | |
6:31 | +3 | Tre Jones makes three point jump shot (Devin Vassell assists) | 16-20 | |
6:17 | +2 | Chet Holmgren makes two point fadeaway jump shot | 18-20 | |
6:03 | Tre Jones misses three point jump shot | |||
6:00 | Jeremy Sochan offensive rebound | |||
6:00 | Jeremy Sochan turnover (out of bounds step) | |||
5:45 | +2 | Chet Holmgren makes two point driving layup | 20-20 | |
5:36 | +2 | Devin Vassell makes two point pullup jump shot (Tre Jones assists) | 20-22 | |
5:21 | Jalen Williams misses two point pullup jump shot | |||
5:19 | Victor Wembanyama defensive rebound | |||
5:09 | Victor Wembanyama turnover (offensive goaltending) | |||
4:52 | +2 | Isaiah Joe makes two point cutting finger roll layup (Chet Holmgren assists) | 22-22 | |
4:52 | Tre Jones shooting foul (Isaiah Joe draws the foul) | |||
4:52 | +1 | Isaiah Joe makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 23-22 | |
4:42 | Devin Vassell turnover (bad pass) (Cason Wallace steals) | |||
4:36 | +3 | Isaiah Joe makes three point running jump shot (Cason Wallace assists) | 26-22 | |
4:21 | +2 | Jeremy Sochan makes two point cutting dunk (Zach Collins assists) | 26-24 | |
4:07 | +2 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes two point stepback jump shot | 28-24 | |
4:07 | Spurs 60 second timeout | |||
3:49 | Blake Wesley turnover (bad pass) (Cason Wallace steals) | |||
3:43 | Isaiah Joe misses three point jump shot | |||
3:41 | Cason Wallace offensive rebound | |||
3:38 | +3 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes three point jump shot (Cason Wallace assists) | 31-24 | |
3:18 | +2 | Zach Collins makes two point turnaround hook shot (Devin Vassell assists) | 31-26 | |
3:05 | Kenrich Williams turnover (bad pass) (Devin Vassell steals) | |||
2:56 | +2 | Keldon Johnson makes two point driving floating jump shot (Zach Collins assists) | 31-28 | |
2:56 | Jaylin Williams shooting foul (Keldon Johnson draws the foul) | |||
2:56 | +1 | Keldon Johnson makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 31-29 | |
2:44 | Jaylin Williams misses two point bank jump shot | |||
2:44 | Kenrich Williams offensive rebound | |||
2:39 | Isaiah Joe misses three point jump shot | |||
2:36 | Blake Wesley defensive rebound | |||
2:24 | Jeremy Sochan misses three point jump shot | |||
2:20 | Cason Wallace defensive rebound | |||
2:14 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses two point stepback jump shot | |||
2:10 | Jeremy Sochan defensive rebound | |||
1:58 | +2 | Devin Vassell makes two point cutting layup (Zach Collins assists) | 31-31 | |
1:43 | +3 | Jaylin Williams makes three point jump shot (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists) | 34-31 | |
1:27 | +3 | Zach Collins makes three point jump shot (Devin Vassell assists) | 34-34 | |
1:06 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | |||
1:06 | Thunder offensive rebound | |||
1:06 | Thunder delay of game violation | |||
1:05 | Lindy Waters III turnover (back court violation) | |||
0:53 | Kenrich Williams technical foul (Defensive three second) | |||
0:53 | +1 | Keldon Johnson makes technical free throw 1 of 1 | 34-35 | |
0:41 | Jeremy Sochan misses two point turnaround fadeaway jump shot | |||
0:41 | Zach Collins offensive rebound | |||
0:41 | +2 | Zach Collins makes two point tip layup | 34-37 | |
0:30 | Keldon Johnson personal foul (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws the foul) | |||
0:22 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses two point stepback jump shot | |||
0:19 | Blake Wesley defensive rebound | |||
0:08 | Blake Wesley turnover (lost ball) (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steals) | |||
0:04 | +3 | Isaiah Joe makes three point running jump shot (Lindy Waters III assists) | 37-37 | |
0:00 | Jeremy Sochan misses three point floating jump shot | |||
0:00 | Spurs offensive rebound | |||
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:43 | Chet Holmgren blocks Malaki Branham's two point driving finger roll layup | |||
11:39 | Victor Wembanyama offensive rebound | |||
11:37 | +3 | Cedi Osman makes three point jump shot (Victor Wembanyama assists) | 37-40 | |
11:16 | Jalen Williams misses three point jump shot | |||
11:12 | Victor Wembanyama defensive rebound | |||
11:06 | Victor Wembanyama turnover (lost ball) (Cason Wallace steals) | |||
11:05 | +2 | Cason Wallace makes two point running finger roll layup (Gordon Hayward assists) | 39-40 | |
11:05 | Tre Jones shooting foul (Cason Wallace draws the foul) | |||
11:05 | +1 | Cason Wallace makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 40-40 | |
10:48 | +3 | Tre Jones makes three point jump shot (Keldon Johnson assists) | 40-43 | |
10:31 | Chet Holmgren misses three point jump shot | |||
10:28 | Tre Jones defensive rebound | |||
10:21 | Victor Wembanyama misses three point running jump shot | |||
10:20 | Keldon Johnson offensive rebound | |||
10:18 | Cedi Osman misses three point jump shot | |||
10:15 | Jalen Williams defensive rebound | |||
10:13 | Gordon Hayward misses two point running pullup jump shot | |||
10:10 | Malaki Branham defensive rebound | |||
10:03 | Cason Wallace shooting foul (Victor Wembanyama draws the foul) | |||
10:03 | +1 | Victor Wembanyama makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 40-44 | |
10:03 | +1 | Victor Wembanyama makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 40-45 | |
9:50 | +2 | Chet Holmgren makes two point alley-oop layup (Jalen Williams assists) | 42-45 | |
9:28 | +2 | Victor Wembanyama makes two point turnaround hook shot (Keldon Johnson assists) | 42-47 | |
9:23 | Aaron Wiggins offensive foul (Keldon Johnson draws the foul) | |||
9:23 | Aaron Wiggins turnover (offensive foul) | |||
9:13 | Keldon Johnson offensive foul (Aaron Wiggins draws the foul) | |||
9:13 | Keldon Johnson turnover (offensive foul) | |||
8:58 | +2 | Chet Holmgren makes two point alley-oop dunk (Jalen Williams assists) | 44-47 | |
8:45 | +3 | Victor Wembanyama makes three point jump shot (Tre Jones assists) | 44-50 | |
8:30 | Victor Wembanyama blocks Aaron Wiggins's two point cutting layup | |||
8:26 | Victor Wembanyama defensive rebound | |||
8:21 | Victor Wembanyama misses two point layup | |||
8:18 | Chet Holmgren defensive rebound | |||
8:15 | Malaki Branham shooting foul (Chet Holmgren draws the foul) | |||
8:15 | +1 | Chet Holmgren makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 45-50 | |
8:15 | +1 | Chet Holmgren makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 46-50 | |
8:04 | Malaki Branham misses two point pullup jump shot | |||
8:01 | Aaron Wiggins defensive rebound | |||
7:53 | Chet Holmgren turnover (lost ball) (Cedi Osman steals) | |||
7:40 | +2 | Zach Collins makes two point turnaround bank jump shot (Cedi Osman assists) | 46-52 | |
7:40 | Jalen Williams shooting foul (Zach Collins draws the foul) | |||
7:40 | Thunder 60 second timeout | |||
7:40 | Zach Collins misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
7:37 | Josh Giddey defensive rebound | |||
7:12 | Josh Giddey misses three point jump shot | |||
7:11 | Luguentz Dort offensive rebound | |||
7:05 | Jaylin Williams misses three point jump shot | |||
7:05 | Zach Collins defensive rebound | |||
6:45 | +2 | Tre Jones makes two point jump shot (Zach Collins assists) | 46-54 | |
6:33 | +2 | Josh Giddey makes two point cutting finger roll layup (Aaron Wiggins assists) | 48-54 | |
6:12 |