Victor Wembanjama and Spurs are too strong for the stripped Suns

A return to authoritarian competition for Spurs. In Austin, in their first game since the All-Star break, the Texans recorded their 7th straight victory with a big (121-94) win against the losing Suns Devin Booker (only nine minutes of the game), shot in the hip.

Without having to score many goals, Victor Vembanyama (17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks) finished with the best mark of his team. It was very well supported by Stephen Castleauthor 20 points, or Dylan Harper who came off the bench with 17 points in 26 minutes, the most playing time on his team.

This shows the extent to which Mitch Johnson was able to turn his frame around in this match which went in the home side’s favor in the second quarter, based on the 13-0 run by the Spurs. As halftime approached, Texas’ energy picked up a notch when De’Aaron Fox sent a very effective Luke Cornett … into the backfield.

“Wemby” everywhere at the start of the third quarter

A surprising gesture by the pivot, the author of a dunk a little later, which allowed San Antonio to take a 19-point lead (56-37). Thanks to a rare return of skill, the guests returned to the locker room with a 12-point deficit (61-49). But this improvement would be short-lived.

The third quarter turned into a nightmare for the visitors, very difficult to achieve, like Jalen Green’s penetration, the number 1 scorer of the match (26 points), was denied by “Wemby”. The Suns also struggled to contain the opposition’s transition game and rhythm set.

After another challenge and clearance by the ever-present Alien in this sequence (with a huge dunk in front of the physical Mark Williams), Devin Vassell looked to finish off his counter-attack with a ‘toe flip’. The difference was now closer to 30 units (85-58). Spurs just had to stay in control until the end.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The sun was decimating. In addition to the premature departure of Devin Booker after less than ten minutes played for him, this trip for the Suns was also marked by the absence of Dillon Brooks, who was serving a suspension for the 16 technical fouls he accumulated during the season. Shot in the ankle, Grayson Allen was also missing. Deprived of their top three scorers, Phoenix was able to rely on another player who hasn’t been on the floor this season, Jaylen Green, who played in just his 8th game of the year. In the new jersey, he gave one of his best performances.

– San Antonio is closing in on OKC. What if the race for first place in the West is not over? While we thought of the Thunder as untouchable because of their excellent start to the season, the Spurs’ current streak is likely to shake up this hierarchy. The Texans now have a record of 39 wins and 16 losses, just two more losses than the defending champions (42w-14d). Since mid-January, the Spurs have a very solid record of 12 wins and 3 losses, where OKC is only balanced (7v-7l).

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.