Coming off their 50th win of the season against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Spurs traveled to Sacramento on a SEGABABA to take on the Kings for the final time this season. Dylan Harper and Luke Kornet returned from injury, but Devin Vassell was ruled out with ankle soreness. Nonetheless, from the opening tip, the Spurs quickly built a double-digit lead and never relinquished it. After building a 17-point lead after the first quarter, the lead ballooned to 31 at halftime. In the third, the Kings kept
a scoring pace to match the Spurs, but the 31-point deficit did not change at the end of the quarter. No matter who checked in for the Spurs, they were on an absolute heater. 13 Spurs players scored at least one point, and altogether they drained a franchise-record 25 three-pointers. The Spurs ultimately won in a wire-to-wire domination, 132-104.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a block. Wemby shot 50% from the field and only played 22 minutes due to the blowout. Nonetheless, he still managed to swat Maxime Raynaud. He drove to the paint with ease and picked his spots in the post for smooth mid-range jumpers and threes. With only 13 games left in the regular season, Wemby will look to cement his MVP case alongside his lock for DPOY.
LOOK OUT BELOW! Wemby gets Raynaud in the air and drives in through three Kings defenders for a two-handed slam!
Just throw it up there! De’Aaron Fox and Wemby run the p&r, and it results in an alley-oop slam!
DEJA VU! Another p&r, another alley-oop connection between Fox and Wemby!
Keldon Johnson led the way with 18 points (8-12 FG), one rebound, and an assist. KJ managed to score efficiently and co-led the scoring punch with Wemby in just 20 minutes. He drained two threes and battled in the paint for his finishes at the rim. After scoring just eight points against the Clippers, this bounce-back game from KJ will hope to spark his scoring off the bench with only 13 games remaining.
Julian Champagnie dropped 17 points (5-7 3PT), one rebound, and an assist in just 24 minutes. Julian was on fire from the three-point line. His five threes are his most since March 6th against the Clippers, and it was much needed after his last two games. Because of Dev’s injury, Julian started at small forward and found himself open on multiple threes. This blazing performance is only a smidge of how dangerous he can be from three the rest of the way.
Harrison Barnes dropped 16 points (4-5 3PT), four rebounds, and three assists in just 22 minutes. HB started in place of Dev, and like Julian, he was also on fire from three. His four threes are his most scored in a game since February 5th against Dallas. Playing against the Kings may have had something to do with his aggressiveness. The time off from his sprained ankle has allowed him to play freely, as he is shooting 53% from three during the month of March. His scoring will be a huge x-factor for this team, especially when he returns to the bench.
UNC STILL GOT IT! Stephon Castle finds a wide open HB under the basket, who then slams it down!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 15 points (3-5 3PT), six assists, five rebounds, and a steal. With the return of Dyl, Fox was able to garner more rest and be patient with his looks. In just 22 minutes, Fox drained three threes and got into the paint with floaters and layups. Even though it was not an offensive explosion, Fox still played with an edge against his former team. Fox has started every game he has played with the Spurs, and he will look to help command the floor with Steph as the season draws near towards the playoffs.
D3’AARON! After Wemby rejects Raynaud on one end, he finds Fox open on the wing for the trey!
Dylan Harper dropped 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-5 3PT), five assists, and four rebounds in just 20 minutes off the bench. Dyl came back from injury and wowed on offense. His playmaking led the second unit as the Spurs’ lead kept growing throughout the game. He also drained three threes, which is his most since March 8th against the Rockets. The 20-year-old will look to continue his All-Rookie charge as his talent will continue to elevate this contending team.
TEAM FIRE ENABLED! Dyl knocks down the open three off the tip-out for the team’s 22nd three-pointer of the game!
Lindy Waters III dropped 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes off the bench. Lindy checked into the game during the second quarter and immediately showed why he is a hidden three-point specialist. He scored in double figures for the first time this season and drained three threes, which is also a season-high. Mitch Johnson’s decision to play Lindy and Kelly Olynyk shows that whoever is on the Spurs’ bench should be ready at any time, and it paid off with the hot shooting Lindy provided. Oh yeah, he’s also got some hops!
Stephon Castle dropped 3 points, a rebound, a block, but dished out 12 assists. Steph struggled from the field, but of all the games to struggle shooting, this was the one that could be excused. He still managed to drain one of the 25 threes the Spurs splashed, and his playmaking vision was on full tilt. It is the fifth time he’s dished out double-digit assists this month, and he will continue to co-lead playmaking duties with Fox as one of the fastest-paced offenses continues to roll.
Lob City Dimer! Steph finds a wide-open Luke Kornet cutting to the basket for the alley-oop slam! Luke returned from injury and dropped four points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
All in all, this was a take-care-of-business game. This young team, especially early on in the season, has had a mediocre habit of playing down to its competition. However, this game reminded Spurs fans of their game against the 76ers. Wire-to-wire, the Spurs literally shot the lights out of the Golden 1 Center. To win your 51st game of the season by breaking the franchise record of most threes scored in a game with 25 proves that this team has the ability to not settle. A total team domination.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs return home to take on the Phoenix Suns this Thursday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.
