Coming off a loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday, the Spurs hoped to get back on track with a win against the depleted New Orleans Pelicans. Victor Wembanyama made his much-needed return (and brief exit and return again). ICYMI, here is a summation of what happened to this Spurs team in the first half.
Spurs in the first half:
- Wemby goes to locker room 3 minutes in
- Collins scary fall, out for game
- Castle goes to locker room
- Wemby returns to game, gets ovation
- KJ non-contact injury
- CP3 goes to 2nd all-time in assists
- Castle returns
- Wemby cooks
Rollercoaster. pic.twitter.com/OZ7DKByQqZ
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) December 9, 2024
Luckily, only Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins would remain out for the rest of the game. In the meantime, the Spurs had a six-point deficit heading into the second quarter and proceeded to explode by outscoring the Pelicans 43-28. The lead dwindled from nine to five heading into the fourth, but the Spurs put some cushion up by taking an 11-point lead. However, the Pels took the lead back on a 13-0 run late in the fourth. That’s when Wemby saved the day by hitting a clutch three with just under 37 seconds left to take a one-point lead. The Spurs got stops and made clutch free throws to seal the win 121-116.
Chris Paul not only dropped six points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals, but he passed Jason Kidd for 2nd on the all-time assists list with 12,092!
Before he broke the record, CP3 showed off his range from the deep!
CP3’s historic assist comes on an inbounds pass to Wemby for a deep three!
The Spurs made a quick video compilation of CP3’s whole career assist highlights!
How about another dime for the road? CP3 immediately lobs it to Wemby on the inbounds for two!
The Spurs also gave CP3 a basketball with every player he’s ever assisted along with a picture frame highlighting his time with multiple teams! His speech is enough to make a grown man cry. This team is very lucky to experience him in his twilight years. If only he joined the team sooner!
If you want more CP3 assist highlights, the Spurs also dropped a 10-minute highlights video consisting of assists from CP3’s rookie year till now!
Victor Wembanyama had a great return game with 25 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and a dime. This team’s defense struggled without him mightily, so seeing chasedown blocks again is a welcoming sight!
SEQUENCE OF THE GAME: Wemby pins former Spur Dejounte Murray’s layup off the backboard and Wemby returns on the other end by walking into a one-legged three!
HE IS CLUTCH! Wemby drains the go-ahead three late in the fourth to give the Spurs the lead and eventually the win!
Stephon Castle continues to not play like a rookie by dropping 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Even though he was the fourth pick in the draft, the league messed up by letting him go to the Silver and Black.
AREA 51 SIGHTING: Stephon Castle makes the second-best assist of the game by not only saving the ball from going out of bounds but hurling it behind his back to a wide-open Wemby under the basket for the easy slam!
CASH! Castle bails out the Spurs with the shot clock winding down by draining a three from the wing!
Charles Bassey had a fantastic game with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 18 minutes. He got extended playing time due to Zach Collins’ injury and made the most of it.
THROW IT DOWN, BIG MAN. Bassey slams it home off the KJ dime!
Another KJ to CB connection! Keldon gets the steal on one end and throws it ahead to Bassey on the fastbreak for the and-one jam!
Block Party! One of Bassey’s four blocks came by stuffing Trey Jemison III at the rim!
Devin Vassell dropped seven points, four assists, four rebounds, and a block. Here, he puts the rock on the floor and glides to the rim for the dunk!
Another Devin dunk! This time it comes on a Harrison Barnes dime on the fastbreak!
Julian Champagnie dropped 12 points, six rebounds, and a block. Coming off a career-high 30 point performance, Julian picks up right where he left off by draining and early three from the wing!
Julian shows off the silky smooth finish on the fastbreak thanks to the Barnes dime!
All in all, it was a fun, but stressful game towards the end. Chris Paul had a historic day, but the Spurs lost two players to injury while almost blowing the game. Lucky for the Spurs, their next game isn’t until Friday thanks to the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals. They’ll us this time to rest up and get ready for the middle part of the season.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs take on the Portland Trail Blazers this Friday at the Moda Center at 9:00 P.M. (CST) on FanDuel Sports Network - SW.