Andrew Lopez, ESPN
SAN ANTONIO — Keldon Johnson took his seat on the postgame podium and interrupted the primary query requested with a query of his personal.
“That’s the number one team in the West, right?” the San Antonio Spurs ahead requested.
Johnson’s Spurs, who had the worst list within the Western Convention coming into Saturday, trailed by way of as many 15 issues prior to coming from at the back of and protecting on for a 113-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who — as Johnson requested — entered the night time attach for the most efficient list within the West.
As the general buzzer sounded all over the Frost Locker Middle, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama implored the nation to get even louder as San Antonio fasten back-to-back victories at house for the primary day all season.
“This is the best win we’ve had,” Spurs tutor Gregg Popovich mentioned.
Wembanyama mentioned if this wasn’t the most efficient win, it was once the win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 15 that snapped a franchise-record 18-game dropping streak.
“But it is definitely a good one and I think tonight we have to feel proud about what we did and get used to the feeling so we can repeat it,” Wembanyama mentioned.
San Antonio trailed by way of 15 within the first part and was once ill by way of 10 coming into the fourth quarter however began the general body on a 13-2 run to pluck a supremacy with 8:42 residue. It remained a one-possession contest till the Spurs took a five-point supremacy with 1:55 left on a 3-pointer by way of Wembanyama.
However with a anticipation to place much more distance among them overdue, the Spurs faltered. Wembanyama ignored two distant throws with 49.7 seconds left and Anthony Edwards accident a layup at the resulting ownership to connect the sport at 112.
San Antonio ignored a layup to walk forward however within the scramble for the offensive rebound, Johnson was once fouled. He made simply one in all his two distant throws giving Minnesota a anticipation to pluck the supremacy.
At the ultimate ownership for the Timberwolves, the Spurs doubled Edwards nearest he crossed halfcourt and he discovered Karl-Anthony Towns at the left wing. Wembanyama preserved him however Cities created field with a step-back and submit a 3-pointer to win. However Johnson closed out sturdy and Cities’ shot accident the entrance of the rim.
“Everybody just scrambled and made s— happen,” Johnson mentioned of the Spurs’ protection at the ultimate play games.
When informed Popovich mentioned it was once the most efficient win of the season, Johnson indubitably.
“We played for each other, we played together and as a team we stepped up and made big plays,” Johnson mentioned. “So, coming down the stretch, we got stops and that was the main thing. That’s big time right there. That’s big time. We all did it together.”
Devin Vassell, who scored a team-high 25 issues, mentioned he can see the staff establishing to switch and are available round nearest a coarse begin to the season.
“I think we’re just growing and maturing,” Vassell mentioned. “There would be times where teams go on a run and we put our heads down and almost get defeated already. Basketball is a game of runs. So right now, we’ve just been sticking with it. We’ve been playing 48 minutes.”
Wembanyama completed with 23 issues, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals and was once a plus-14 right through his 8 mins, 36 seconds within the fourth quarter.
It was once the primary day Wembanyama performed a back-to-back since November. He had ignored no less than one part of the ultimate 4 back-to-backs the Spurs had performed, 3 since he began enjoying on a mins restriction nearest spraining his ankle 3 times in a 12-day span.
Popovich mentioned that life Wembanyama’s mins restrictions might be coming to an finish quickly, Wembanyama, who mentioned his frame felt “as good as we can ask for” nearest enjoying the back-to-back, mentioned he is aware of the staff shall be subtle with what comes nearest.
“I think it’s something we need to watch for the next 15, 20, 30 games,” Wembanyama mentioned. “We’re going to see. I think I’m probably not going to play 45 minutes anytime soon.”
