The Spurs are rolling - and they’re doing it with a mix of grit, depth, and just enough flash to keep the rest of the league paying close attention. Fresh off a blowout win over the Hawks, San Antonio rolled into D.C. and handled business again, this time against a shorthanded Wizards squad.
The final score: 123-114. But this one was more of a rollercoaster than the scoreboard suggests.
A Tale of Two Halves (and a Wild Second Quarter)
The Spurs started slow, trailing by two after the first quarter. But then they flipped the switch in the second - and it was lights out for Washington.
San Antonio exploded for 43 points in the frame, outpacing the Wizards by 22 and heading into halftime with a commanding 20-point lead. It was the kind of dominant stretch that’s becoming a calling card for this group.
But the third quarter? That was a different story.
The Spurs let Washington back in it, getting outscored 37-29 and watching their comfortable cushion shrink. The fourth had the potential to turn into a full-blown collapse, but San Antonio held steady.
Key buckets from De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet kept the Wizards at arm’s length, and despite a few late pushes, the Spurs never let it slip away.
De’Aaron Fox: Back in Rhythm
After two unusually quiet scoring nights, De’Aaron Fox came out hunting - and he found everything he was looking for. He poured in 27 points on an efficient 10-of-19 shooting, including a season-high five threes on just seven attempts. Add in seven boards, six assists, and a block, and you’ve got a complete performance from a player who’s clearly back in his groove.
Fox’s three-level scoring was on full display. He had the stepback working, the drive-and-kick game humming, and he knocked down timely shots when the Wizards threatened to make things interesting. If this is the version of Fox the Spurs are getting consistently, his second All-Star nod might just be a matter of time.
Luke Kornet: The Unsung Hero
Luke Kornet doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but he was everywhere in this one. The big man notched a season-high 20 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes - also a season high - and looked every bit the dependable, do-it-all center San Antonio hoped for when they added him in the offseason.
He set hard screens, rolled with purpose, cleaned up the glass, and finished with authority. Whether it was catching lobs, grabbing offensive boards, or slamming home second-chance points, Kornet played like a guy who knows his role and maximizes every minute. On a team stacked with young talent, his veteran presence continues to be invaluable.
Stephon Castle: Growth in Real Time
The box score tells one story - 18 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals. But the real story with Stephon Castle is how he’s learning to impact the game even when his shot isn’t falling. He went just 4-of-16 from the field, but he got to the line 13 times and knocked down nine, showing a willingness to stay aggressive and draw contact.
More importantly, Castle kept the offense flowing. His vision and passing continue to evolve, and his ability to create for teammates - even on an off-shooting night - is a great sign for his development.
The double-digit assists are no fluke. This is a young guard learning how to lead.
Victor Wembanyama: Still Making an Impact
Victor Wembanyama came off the bench again as the Spurs continue to manage his minutes, but even in limited action (22 minutes), he made his presence felt. He finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks - another double-double in the books.
Wemby had his moments, including a thunderous two-hand slam after shaking his defender and a slick bounce pass from the high post for his 500th career assist. He also responded to a block from Tristan Vukcevic with a spin move and dunk that reminded everyone exactly who he is. Whether he’s starting or not, Wemby continues to be a difference-maker on both ends.
Team Effort, Winning Habits
Devin Vassell added 11 points and six rebounds, Harrison Barnes chipped in 14, and Dylan Harper - even without a standout stat line - continues to be a steady hand in the rotation. The Spurs are starting to show real cohesion, with contributions coming from all over the roster.
This win marks San Antonio’s sixth straight, and at 21-7, they’re outperforming even the most optimistic preseason expectations. Yes, the Wizards were missing key players, and yes, the Spurs let them hang around longer than they should have.
But good teams find ways to win, even when things get messy. That’s what the Spurs did here.
Up Next: A Real Test
The schedule turns tough now, with two matchups looming against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-day span. If the Spurs want to keep this momentum going, they’ll need to tighten up the third-quarter lapses and bring their best for four full quarters. Because against OKC, there’s no room for cruise control.
But for now, San Antonio keeps stacking wins - and turning heads in the process.