The San Antonio Spurs didn’t start the night like a team with playoff aspirations. They looked flat, outpaced, and overwhelmed early by a Rockets squad that came out firing. But by the time the final buzzer echoed through Toyota Center, San Antonio had flipped the script - and then some.
Trailing by double digits in the first half, the Spurs regrouped, retooled, and ultimately ran away with a 111-99 win over Houston. It wasn’t just a comeback - it was a statement. A second-half surge powered by defense, rebounding, and a whole lot of Victor Wembanyama turned what looked like a rough night into a blueprint for how this team can win tough games on the road.
Let’s start with the turnaround. After giving up 61 points in the first half, San Antonio locked in defensively and held the Rockets to just 38 after the break - including a suffocating 13-point fourth quarter. That’s not just a flip of the switch; that’s a team digging in and deciding enough is enough.
Head coach Mitch Johnson credited the collective effort around Wembanyama for the shift in tone. “I think it’s the job that everyone was doing around him that allowed Victor to be that impactful at the rim,” Johnson said postgame. “We had quite a bit of crowds at the rim and we did a much better job of securing loose balls in the second half and the latter part of the game.”
That impact was felt everywhere. Wembanyama was a force - 28 points, 16 rebounds, and a presence that Houston simply couldn’t match when it mattered.
He wasn’t just scoring - he was altering shots, drawing fouls, and forcing the Rockets to rethink every drive into the paint. His length disrupted Houston’s rhythm, and his offensive efficiency kept the Spurs steady as they chipped away at the lead.
Houston had its moments early, especially pushing the pace and knocking down outside shots. They built a 16-point cushion by attacking early in the shot clock and winning the battle on the boards. But once San Antonio settled in, that lead didn’t last long.
The third quarter was where things really turned. The Spurs tightened up their rotations, shrunk the floor defensively, and started to find their groove offensively. Ball movement improved, and the focus shifted to attacking inside - a smart adjustment that paid off in a big way.
By the end of the third, San Antonio had seized momentum. Then came the knockout punch: an 11-0 run to open the fourth quarter that completely flipped the game.
That stretch was all about defense turning into offense. Stops led to transition chances, and the Spurs made the most of them, getting downhill, finishing at the rim, and dictating the pace.
The paint was where this game was ultimately won. San Antonio outmuscled Houston inside, won the 50-50 balls, and owned the glass.
The Rockets, who thrived on second-chance opportunities early, were shut down in the second half. As the game slowed and the floor shrank, Houston couldn’t find clean looks.
The Spurs’ length and discipline made sure of that.
And let’s not overlook the contributions from the bench - particularly rookie Dylan Harper. He came in with energy and purpose, dropping 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting and giving the Spurs a needed boost during key stretches. His ability to attack off the dribble and finish through contact helped keep the offense humming when things tightened up.
Houston’s Amen Thompson was impressive in his own right, finishing with 25 points and showing off the athleticism that’s made him a building block for the Rockets. But once San Antonio imposed its defensive will, even Thompson had trouble finding space. The Rockets turned the ball over at crucial moments and went cold in the fourth, unable to match the Spurs’ execution.
One player who deserves a serious spotlight: Stephon Castle. Charles Barkley said Castle “single handedly changed the game,” and the tape backs that up.
His defensive work in the second half - particularly on Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant - was disruptive. Durant still got his 24 points, but Castle made him work for every bit of it, holding him to 8-for-17 shooting and taking away easy looks.
And credit where it’s due - Mitch Johnson made the right calls down the stretch. Putting Wembanyama on Amen Thompson was a bold move that paid off.
Johnson’s halftime adjustments were on point, and his team responded. For all the noise around his coaching, this game was a reminder of the impact he’s had on this group.
The Spurs are now 32-15 and looking more and more like a team that’s not just playoff-bound, but built to make some noise once they get there.
San Antonio’s bench outscored Houston’s 38-14 - a stat that speaks volumes about the depth and balance this team is developing.
This win wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t built on a barrage of threes or a highlight-reel dunk fest.
It was gritty, physical, and earned possession by possession. And in a Western Conference where every game matters, it’s the kind of win that could carry weight down the line.
The Spurs showed they can weather an early storm, make the right adjustments, and close out a game with poise. That’s the kind of growth that matters in January - and the kind of performance that can set the tone for what’s to come.