Spurs Rally Past Raptors in Thrilling Comeback
In a nail-biter up north, the San Antonio Spurs showcased their resilience, overcoming a 15-point deficit to edge out the Toronto Raptors 110-107. Devin Vassell led the charge for the Spurs, dropping 21 points and proving to be the catalyst in their late-game surge.
De’Aaron Fox was right there with him, adding 20 points as San Antonio extended their impressive win streak to 10 games. While star center Victor Wembanyama had a quieter night with 12 points, his impact was felt on the boards with seven rebounds.
Off the bench, Dylan Harper made a significant contribution, tallying 15 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, providing the spark San Antonio needed.
On the Raptors' side, Brandon Ingram stood tall with a double-double, scoring 20 points and pulling down a season-high 11 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley matched Ingram's scoring, while Scottie Barnes chipped in with 15 points, despite being a game-time decision due to a quad contusion from the previous night’s clash with the Thunder.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles got the nod at center, filling in for Jakob Poeltl, who was managing a sore lower back. Unfortunately, Murray-Boyles exited in the fourth quarter with a thumb injury and didn't return.
Game Dynamics
The Raptors seemed in control for much of the game, leading by 12 points as they entered the fourth quarter. However, the Spurs had other plans, igniting a 15-2 run to close the gap and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic made strategic moves, opting to keep Poeltl away from Wembanyama, using Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili to handle the Spurs' all-star. This allowed Poeltl to exploit mismatches against San Antonio’s backup bigs, ending with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Pivotal Play
With just 43 seconds left, Wembanyama delivered a crucial block on Poeltl’s layup attempt, preserving the Spurs' narrow lead. Quickley then scored, bringing the Raptors within two, but it wasn’t enough to stop San Antonio's momentum.
Stat of the Night
Despite Wembanyama’s average of 11.3 rebounds per game, the Raptors outmuscled the Spurs on the glass, winning the rebound battle 50-40. Yet, San Antonio’s grit and execution in the clutch moments made the difference.
Looking Ahead
The Raptors will aim to bounce back as they head to Washington to face the Wizards on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Spurs continue their road trip, taking on the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, looking to keep their streak alive.