Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 118-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets with a dominant 31-point, 14-rebound performance, highlighted by a powerful dunk that capped his impressive game and kept the Spurs unbeaten.
The San Antonio Spurs celebrated their home opener with a hard-fought 118-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, improving to 3-0 for the season. Victor Wembanyama was the star of the show, tallying 31 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks in a performance that underscored his status as a rising force in the NBA. The game was played at Frost Bank Center, where the Spurs quietly honored former coach Gregg Popovich with a new banner commemorating his 1,390 career wins, adhering to his preference for no formal ceremony.
Brooklyn started strong, building a 9-2 lead in the opening three minutes as the Spurs committed four early turnovers. However, San Antonio quickly regained composure, closing the first quarter on a 29-15 run to take a 31-24 lead. This set the tone for their offensive efficiency and defensive intensity, with Wembanyama anchoring the paint and disrupting Brooklyn’s plays.
The Spurs extended their advantage in the second and third quarters, leading by as many as 26 points at 81-55 with nine minutes left in the third. But the Nets refused to fold, mounting a 26-7 run to cut the deficit to 88-81 by the end of the quarter. Cam Thomas was instrumental in the rally, finishing with 40 points to tie Kevin Durant for third on the Nets’ all-time list for 40-point games, behind only Vince Carter and Kyrie Irving.
In the fourth quarter, Brooklyn continued their surge, with Jalen Wilson’s three-pointer capping a 9-1 run that gave them a 90-89 lead, their first since the opening minutes. However, San Antonio responded with clutch plays, including key contributions from rookie Dylan Harper, who scored 20 points overall and seven in the final period to help seal the victory. The Spurs closed the game on a 10-0 run, demonstrating their resilience under pressure.
Wembanyama’s all-around impact was evident beyond the stat sheet; his six blocks disrupted Brooklyn’s offense, and his powerful dunk in the closing moments energized the crowd and symbolized his dominance. Other notable performances included Michael Porter Jr. adding 16 points for the Nets, while Nic Claxton contributed 10 points. For the Spurs, the win highlighted their depth amid injuries to key players like De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk, and Luke Kornet.
The victory maintains San Antonio’s perfect start under the shadow of Popovich’s legacy, while the Nets, under coach Jordi Fernandez, are still searching for their first win of the season at 0-3. Both teams face immediate challenges, with the Nets traveling to face the Houston Rockets and the Spurs hosting the Toronto Raptors on Monday. These matchups will test their ability to sustain momentum or bounce back early in the campaign, setting the stage for critical developments in the NBA season.