Home Sport Wembanyama’s Stellar Performance Not Enough as Kings Prevail Over Spurs

Wembanyama’s Stellar Performance Not Enough as Kings Prevail Over Spurs

Sport — 02/23/2024

Sacramento, California — — Domantas Sabonis recorded his NBA-leading 19th triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox added 28 points and nine assists as the Sacramento Kings defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-122 on Thursday night. 

 

Victor Wembanyama 'better than the hype' as well-respected ex-NBA hooper gives unique insight - The Mirror USSabonis was a game-time decision due to sickness but finished with his fourth triple-double in five games. He has recorded at least a double-double in 38 consecutive games.  

“You don’t want to become numb to what he’s doing,” Fox went on to say. 
“That is not natural. It’s only happened a couple times in this game.

Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk each scored 21 points.

 

San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama prepares to play against the Kings in Sacramento for the first time“It’s really the home stretch,” Huerter remarked. 

“The rest of the season is going to speed by, and we need every game. We’re in a dogfight in the West. We can sense the urgency in every game.”

Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 32 points, while Victor Wembanyama contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and four blocks. Keldon Johnson scored 18 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. The Spurs suffered their ninth loss in ten games. 

“Our goal is obviously to improve and win,” Vassell stated. “That’s the key point. That has been our main focus since the season began. Obviously, we haven’t been very good at it. So I’m just trying to turn this thing around for the last 26 games.”

The Kings outscored San Antonio 35-25 in the second quarter to take a 65-57 halftime advantage.

Sacramento increased its lead to 87-76 in the third quarter, but the Spurs rallied to take a 117-116 lead on a three-point play by Wembanyama with 2:53 left.

 

: Rocky Widner / Getty ImagesVassell extended the lead to four with a three-pointer on the following possession. The Kings answered with a 9-0 run that put the game out of reach. 

 “Our guys just kind of found a way tonight”, Sacramento coach Mike Brown explained. 
“It wasn’t nice, but you give San Antonio a lot of credit. They played a great game.”
 

ImageSacramento shot 56% from the field, while San Antonio ended at 51%. The Spurs outscored the Kings 72-70 in the paint, with each team collecting 42 rebounds. 

 “At this point in the season, obviously you want wins”, Fox was quoted as saying. “You don’t care how they arrive… 
“We were able to execute down the stretch, which was huge for us.”