Coming off a dramatic win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs concluded their 3-game homestand by taking on the Utah Jazz. The Spurs started hot, outscoring the Jazz 34-26 in the first quarter.
The Jazz cut the deficit to four at halftime, but the Spurs dominated the third quarter. They outscored the Jazz 35-23 and carried a 16-point lead into the fourth. The Spurs’ lead reached 24 at one point, and they shut down any chance at a Jazz comeback. Thanks to hot shooting and solid defense, the Spurs won 123-110.
Victor Wembanyama dropped a double-double: 33 points (7-12 3PT) and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks, two steals, and an assist. Vic was en fuego from three and converted all six of his free throws. After draining nine combined threes against the Bucks and the Timberwolves, Vic dropped a season-high seven threes against the Jazz alone. Since shaving his head, the Spurs are 3-0, and Wemby is averaging 31.3 points per game, 9.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 55% field goal shooting, 59% three-point shooting, and 87% free-throw shooting. Not bad for a first-time all-star starter.
The stove is warm… Vic drains the open three in transition! Guard up Jusuf Nurkic!
THE STOVE IS BURNING! Vic and Fox run the pick and fade, and Vic is left wide open for another three!
Just throw it up there! HB leads the fastbreak and lobs it up to Wemby who slams it down!
Stephon Castle dropped 18 points, eight assists, two rebounds, and a block. After struggling to draw fouls in the first half, Steph’s determination to stay aggressive rewarded him with whistles, and he drained seven of 10 free throws. He also drained tough and contested mid-range jumpers. The turnovers were once again a problem, but Steph still managed to toss lobs and bounce passes for eight dimes. After covering Keyonte George, his next assignment will either be Amen Thompson or possibly even Kevin Durant.
AREA 51 ALERT! Steph crosses half court and immediately lobs to Wemby, who jams it home!
Another Steph lob! After the Fox swipe, Steph leads the 3 on 1 fastbreak by lobbing it up for a Julian Champagnie jam! Julian finished with 13 points and four rebounds!
THREE LOBS FOR STEPH! Steph finds the cutting Luke Kornet who finishes the lob! Luke filled the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal!
Dylan Harper dropped 15 points (6-7 FG), five assists, three rebounds, a steal, and a block. Dyl shot a career-high 85.7% from the field, and he cashed in his points from the midrange, from a three, and from slashing to the cup. These last four games from Dyl have shown what he is capable of on a nightly basis. It is a welcome sight after his cold stretch.
Spurs Ball Movement! Dyl drives in, fakes the shot, and bounces it to Luke under the basket for the slam all in one motion!
ROOKIE POSTER! Dyl skies to the rim and posterizes Nurkic! The rook also stares him down after the play!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 14 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals. D-Fox was efficient from the field and led the offense with either Steph or Dyl. Most of all, he was excellent defensively. He swiped a season-high four steals by pickpocketing whoever drove into the paint and interrupting the passing lanes. Thanks to the rest of the supporting cast, D-Fox attempted just 11 shots, but made six of them. It will be exciting to see if he is named an all-star reserve on February 1st.
Carter Bryant dropped a career-high 11 points (4-5 FG), three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. In just fourteen minutes, Carter was efficient from the field and made solid defensive plays. He also finally secured a dunk and decided to add an alley-oop slam as a bonus. The rookie impressed Spurs fans and the coaching staff, and it might convince Mitch Johnson to give him more playing time as the season carries on.
FINALLY! After many missed dunks throughout the season, the Spurs’ ball movement results in Luke finding Carter open under the basket for a converted slam dunk!
ANOTHER ROOKIE JAM! After the steal, D-Fox leads the fastbreak and lobs it up to a trailing Carter, who slams it home with two hands!
Harrison Barnes dropped 10 points, four assists, a rebound, and a block. HB was solid on drives to the cup and made hustle plays that most 33-year-olds usually don’t make. After a long, cold stretch of games, this homestand has been a welcoming reminder of who HB has been for this team: A solid veteran who stretches the floor.
All in all, this was a great way to close out the three-game homestand. An injured version of the Jazz team that defeated the silver and black in late December can still score with the best. However, the Spurs’ 21 stocks and sixteen threes proved to be the difference. Both rookies also finished in double figures and showed flashes of their true potential. This team faces a quick turnaround in a familiar I-10 rivalry foe, and this time the silver and black will mostly be at full strength.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs go on the road to battle the Houston Rockets on a SEGABABA at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock/FDSN-SW.
