Shorthanded Spurs Stay in the Hunt After Sacramento Win and Early-Season Slide
The Spurs come into this week at 9-4 following Sunday’s 123-110 win over Sacramento at the Frost Bank Center. The team is 4-4 since opening the season with a franchise best 5-0 start.
De’Aaron Fox had a season-high 28 points to go with 11 assists in Sunday’s win over his former team. Harrison Barnes gave his former employer 20 points and Devin Vassell had 16 points as Silver and Black snapped a two-game skid. The team dropped both games of a Home-Home stand against the Warriors, one of which was an Emirates NBA Cup Group C matchup. Steph Curry torched the Spurs both games scoring 46 and 49 in those games.
The team was without the services of V-Dub who was ruled out prior to the game due to a strained left calf. Coach Mitch Johnson said the injury was progressive and not due to any single play. Wembanyama’s status is day to day but is expected to miss at least two weeks.
The Spurs continue to be balanced in their play with significant bench contributions despite V-Dubs absence. Seven players scored in double figures against the Kings with Keldon Johnson contributing 14 points and 12 rebounds. On the season the squad has nine players averaging at least 10 points led by V-Dubs 26 points and 13 rebounds. Wembanyama still leads the association in blocks with 3.5 per contest.
DeMar DeRozan had 27 points to lead Sacramento, which lost its sixth straight. Kings center Domantas Sabonis added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Despite the hot start the Spurs have slid in the Western Conference standings to fifth, four games behind the red hot defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder lead the league with an almost perfect 14-1 record.
In the Emirates NBA Cup the Spurs lead Group C with a 1-1 record. They beat Houston in their first group play matchup 121-110 and dropping a game to the Warrior 109-108.
The Spurs will look to maintain momentum when they host the eleventh place Memphis Grizzlies at the Frost Bank Center.
Upcoming Games:
Thu, Nov 20 — vs (4) Atlanta (9-5)
7 PM — NBA TV
Sun, Nov 23 — vs (8) Phoenix (8-6)
7 PM
