The San Antonio Spurs are showing signs of a team that's truly elevated its game. Even when they appear fatigued and a bit sluggish, they're finding ways to dominate, as evidenced by their decisive 126-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. This is a far cry from the days when they struggled to maintain focus against weaker opponents.
Fresh off a grueling win in Toronto, the Spurs came out strong against Brooklyn, spreading the scoring wealth and capitalizing on whoever had the hot hand at the moment. Julian Champagnie, the local hero, led the charge with an impressive 26 points on 10-14 shooting, including 6-9 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. found his groove for the Nets in the second half, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Game Observations
Referee Ed Malloy was up to his usual antics right from the tip-off. Nic Claxton was all over Victor Wembanyama, leading to multiple resets. Even after Wembanyama won the jump ball twice, Malloy's decision to redo it was questionable.
The first quarter might not have been a highlight reel, but it was exactly what the Spurs needed-methodical and precise. Devin Vassell continued his hot streak with two three-pointers, while Stephon Castle took advantage of the Nets’ defensive lapses to score 13 points, helping the Spurs to a 36-22 lead.
As the second quarter kicked off, the Spurs hit four consecutive threes, courtesy of Champagnie and Dylan Harper. However, a lapse in focus allowed the Nets to trim a 22-point lead down to 12. Yet, as good teams do, the Spurs regrouped, with Champagnie’s 19 first-half points leading the way to regain control by halftime.
The third quarter saw the Spurs momentarily lose their grip, as Porter Jr. caught fire with 17 points, bringing the Nets within six. Enter De’Aaron Fox, who steadied the ship with 10 points and orchestrated the ball movement that reignited the Spurs’ offense. Five more threes later, and the lead was back up to 20, sealing the game as the fourth quarter turned into extended garbage time.
Victor Wembanyama had a quieter night offensively, with 12 points on 3-9 shooting, along with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. He’s been candid about feeling fatigued post-All-Star weekend, and the back-to-back games likely didn’t help. Fortunately, the team has a couple of days off before facing the Knicks, which should provide some much-needed rest.
This victory marks the Spurs’ third undefeated month in franchise history, all within February, extending their win streak to 11 games. With two more wins, they could sweep the Rodeo Road Trip-a feat few anticipated at the season's outset. The Spurs are on a roll, and the league is taking notice.