San Antonio Spurs, in playoffs a lustro later with a wild Wembanyama
A game-winning shot by the French alien clinched the Texan team's spot in the postseason for the first time since 2019
The San Antonio Spurs are back in the playoffs. And they did it in style, with a decisive play from their star player, Victor Wembanyama, who hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer to defeat the Phoenix Suns 101-100 in the early hours of Thursday.
The Texan team, who hadn't been in the playoffs since the 2018-19 season —still with Gregg Popovich on the sidelines—, thus secured their spot after a hard-fought comeback and a tension-filled finish at the Frost Bank Center.
With the Spurs down by one point in the final seconds, Wembanyama received the inbound pass and took a moment on the wing before attacking. With the clock winding down, he dribbled once and shot over the defense of Oso Ighodaro, scoring a decisive basket with 1.1 seconds left that set off a frenzy on the court.
The French center was the standout player of the game with 34 points and 12 rebounds, along with three steals, leading a resilient Spurs team that bounced back from a seven-point deficit at halftime.
The comeback came in the second half and was sealed with an impeccable finish. After a three-pointer by Jordan Goodwin with 73 seconds remaining, San Antonio closed out the game without allowing any more points. Wembanyama scored from the free-throw line and De'Aaron Fox brought his team closer with an easy basket before Rasheer Fleming missed two crucial free throws, leaving the final possession in the hands of the Frenchman.
Fox finished with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Julian Champagnie contributed 14 points and Devin Vassell added 12 in a victory that confirms the team's great form.
After the game, Keldon Johnson, the team's sixth man, led his teammates and the fans in a loud chant of "MVP" dedicated to Wembanyama.
The Unstoppable Spurs
For the Suns, Collin Gillespie was the leading scorer with 24 points and six assists, while Devin Booker added 22. Ighodaro capped his performance with 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, but couldn't prevent the loss that leaves Phoenix with a 39-31 record.
The victory marks the fourth consecutive win for San Antonio and the 20th in their last 22 games, a streak that has propelled the team to the second spot in the West, just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and well ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.
What seemed like a matter of time is now official: the Spurs are back in the playoffs. And with Wembanyama at the helm, they have sent a clear message to the rest of the NBA.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, San Antonio Spurs, en playoffs un lustro después con un Wembanyama salvaje
