Victor Wembanyama is making the extraordinary feel routine. Just two nights after a dominant performance, the Spurs’ rising star put up another jaw-dropping stat line-33 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 7 made threes on 12 attempts-as San Antonio handled a shorthanded Utah squad with a decisive third-quarter push and an offensive clinic that flirted with the elusive 50/40/90 shooting split.
Let’s just say it: when Wemby’s hitting threes like that, the game feels unfair.
Wemby Leads, Spurs Follow
San Antonio’s offense was humming from the start, and Wembanyama set the tone early, matching Utah’s entire first-quarter output with 13 of his own. He wasn’t alone, though.
Harrison Barnes chipped in early buckets, and Carter Bryant caught fire late in the first with seven straight points-including a corner three, a strong finish through contact, and a highlight dunk over Kyle Filipowski. The Spurs ended the first up 34-26, and the tone was set.
But Utah didn’t fold. The Jazz, missing key pieces, still fought back thanks to a second-quarter burst led by Kevin Love and rookie Ace Bailey. Love hit from deep and found Jusuf Nurkic for an easy lay-in, while Bailey knocked down back-to-back threes during an 11-0 Utah run that briefly gave them the lead.
San Antonio’s response? Another Wembanyama-led surge.
The All-Star starter poured in a pair of threes and helped engineer an 8-0 counterpunch. The Jazz hung around thanks to a hefty free throw advantage-getting to the line double-digit times more than the Spurs in the first half-but midrange magic from Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox helped San Antonio carry a 61-57 lead into the break.
Third Quarter Takeover
The third quarter was where the game turned for good. Wembanyama opened the frame with back-to-back threes to push his total to six on the night, and San Antonio’s guard trio-Castle, Fox, and rookie Dylan Harper-took it from there. Castle’s playmaking was steady and efficient, Harper continued to look like a seasoned vet, and Fox added timely buckets, including a corner three that helped the Spurs build a 16-point lead heading into the fourth.
Castle, in particular, looked composed beyond his years. He finished with 18 points and 8 assists, bouncing back from a recent illness with poise and control.
Harper added 15 points and 5 assists of his own, showing off his athleticism and court vision in transition. Bryant chipped in 11 points and a block in what might’ve been his most complete performance of the season.
San Antonio won the third quarter 35-23, and from there, it was all about closing the door.
Putting the Game Away
The fourth quarter opened with a pair of highlight-reel plays that effectively iced it. Fox found Harper for a two-handed dunk through traffic, then moments later lobbed one to Bryant for another emphatic slam. That sequence pushed the lead to 20 and had the home crowd fully engaged.
From there, the Spurs controlled the tempo, never letting Utah make a serious push. While the Jazz got strong efforts from Keyonte George (27 points, 6 rebounds) and Jusuf Nurkic (20 points, 9 boards, 5 assists), they simply didn’t have the firepower to keep pace once San Antonio hit its stride.
Notable Moments & Observations
- The All-Star logo on Wembanyama’s jersey? Yeah, it fits. He’s not just an All-Star-he’s becoming the kind of player who defines the game’s future.
- Dylan Harper looks more and more comfortable each game. The shorter haircut might be a coincidence, but the confidence is real. He’s attacking the rim, drawing contact, and making smart reads.
- Carter Bryant still needs to tighten up his jumper, but his athleticism is undeniable. He had a stretch in the first quarter where he scored in three different ways-corner three, aggressive drive, and a dunk-that showed his potential as a two-way threat.
- Julian Champagnie continues to do the little things-his knack for offensive tip-ins and follow dunks is underrated and gives the Spurs second-chance opportunities when they need them.
- The Jazz backcourt of George and Clayton is undersized, and it showed at times defensively. But George continues to get to his spots and draw contact-he’s got a knack for getting the whistle, especially against San Antonio.
Best Sequences of the Night
- “Icing on the Cake”: Fox-to-Harper for a dunk, followed by Fox-to-Bryant for another slam to open the fourth. That was the dagger.
- Sequence #1: Barnes blocks George’s dunk attempt, then goes coast-to-coast and finishes with a lefty floater. Veteran savvy on full display.
- The “Beautiful Game” Moment: Late in the first quarter, the ball zipped from Fox to Harper to Kornet to Bryant for a two-hand slam. Spurs basketball at its finest.
- Sequence #2: Just before halftime, Kornet swatted Cody Williams at the rim, and Fox glided through the defense for a smooth floater. That kind of end-to-end effort is what separates good teams from great ones.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. The Spurs looked fluid, balanced, and locked in on both ends.
Wembanyama continues to evolve into a generational force, and the young supporting cast is growing more confident by the game. With Castle orchestrating, Harper attacking, and Bryant finding his rhythm, San Antonio’s future is flashing before our eyes.
And if this version of the Spurs shows up consistently? The rest of the league better start paying attention.