With the super Wemby, Spurs have their 8th win in a row

A matchup of extremes between Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs, the best team in the West right now, and the Kings, who are on a 15 game losing streak, a franchise record draw! And the start of the match makes us fear the worst for our partners Maquime Raynaudas the Spurs outscored them 11-0 from the start. Wemby immediately sets the tone with three counterattacks in the first 90 seconds, and Spurs dominate in desire, players throw themselves on the ground, and a lot of rhythm in the attack.

But after this thunderous start, the intensity drops. The turnovers are piling up and the Kings are taking advantage of that to gradually come back. DeMar DeRozan scores the last points of the first quarter to cut the deficit to four lengths (35-31).

The second quarter confirms the trend: Sacramento starts with a 9-2 lead and even takes a lead (40-37). The Spurs are hampered by the Kings’ more aggressive defense and continue to lose the ball. Despite everything, San Antonio was able to regain control before the break, thanks in particular to the energy of Keldon Johnson coming off the bench. The Texans return to the locker room leading 73-65, despite ten turnovers.

Raynaud’s harvest

Coming back from the locker room, Sacramento looks determined to end a long losing streak. The third quarter is tight, physical, contested. The Kings get back to one possession with less than five minutes left in the quarter. Keegan Murray, DeRozan and Reynaud continue to press. The French rookie is exemplary in offensive rebounding.

But this is where San Antonio makes the difference. Vembanjama hit a 3-pointer and then assisted in the final minute of the third quarter. The Spurs finished the period with a 7-0 run, increasing the advantage to eleven points: 105-94.

They went on to score the first five points of the fourth quarter, completing a decisive 12-0 run in both periods. De’Aaron Fox and Wembanjama score near the circle, and the deficit quickly climbs to over twenty points. Sacramento, until then combative, finally relented. The advantage grows to 28 units, allowing the holders to breathe at the end of the match.

Final score: 139-122 for San Antonio, which wins its eighth straight and ends its mini-stay in Austin with a doubleheader. It’s the Kings’ 16th straight loss … and the franchise’s dismal record continues to grow.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

San Antonio fell asleep… Sometimes, a great start can be detrimental. We saw that tonight when Spurs quickly released the pressure after a great start. The team remains young and still has things to learn, such as how to overcome a large gap quickly.

It hurts Wemby-Rainaud. Former Nanterre team-mates Victor Wembanyama and Maxime Raynaud will soon form the backbone of the French team. Their friendly duel delivered on all its promises, with Reynaud impressive on the offensive rebound, multiplying the deflection to his teammates.

Austin in turmoil. The Spurs end their annual visit to Austin with their second win. The mood at the Moodie Center is pretty crazy, and we even saw Wemby in the middle of the crowd with a bass drum!

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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; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.