Executive summary: Victor Wembanyama’s spectacular block and subsequent slam dunk highlighted a dominant performance, powering the San Antonio Spurs to a 100-95 road win against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. The play underscored Wembanyama’s growing influence as a two-way force in his third NBA season.
In a pivotal moment early in the fourth quarter, Wembanyama swatted away a layup attempt by Celtics star Jaylen Brown, immediately sparking a fast break. Racing down the court, he received a pass and threw down a ferocious one-handed dunk, electrifying the crowd and giving the Spurs a crucial momentum shift. The sequence, which occurred with the game tightly contested, showcased the 7-foot-4 forward’s unique combination of defensive prowess and offensive explosiveness.
Wembanyama finished the game with 21 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and one assist, shooting 8-of-17 from the field. His scoring was particularly impactful in the second half, where he netted 16 points, including a key stretch of nine consecutive points in the third quarter. Despite facing various defensive assignments from the Celtics, including rookie Hugo Gonzalez and veteran Jordan Walsh, Wembanyama found ways to contribute on both ends of the floor.
The Spurs’ victory was a team effort, with De’Aaron Fox adding 21 points and nine rebounds, Keldon Johnson contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Julian Champagnie posting a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. San Antonio outscored Boston 50-40 in the second half, overcoming a 55-50 halftime deficit. A significant factor was free-throw shooting, where the Spurs made 14 of 20 attempts compared to the Celtics’ mere 3 of 4.
For the Celtics, Derrick White led all scorers with 29 points, along with nine rebounds and three assists, while Jaylen Brown had 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. However, Brown also committed five turnovers, including a costly giveaway in the final minute. After the game, Brown expressed frustration with the officiating, criticizing the referees for what he perceived as unfair calls, particularly the disparity in free-throw attempts.
The win improved the Spurs’ record to 26-11, solidifying their hold on the second spot in the Western Conference standings, just 4.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Celtics fell to 24-14, wrapping up a 2-2 homestand before embarking on a four-game road trip.
Looking ahead, the Spurs are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 11, continuing their road stretch. Wembanyama’s continued health and performance will be critical as San Antonio aims to maintain its position in the playoff race and contend for a deep postseason run.
