In a commanding victory, the San Antonio Spurs (5-25) dominated the Portland Trail Blazers (8-22) with a 118-105 win on Thursday. However, their triumph comes with a setback as rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama will be sidelined in the upcoming rematch due to a right ankle injury.
Wembanyama showcased his skills with an impressive stat line of 30 points, six rebounds, six assists, and seven blocks, leading the Spurs to a convincing win. Despite his absence in the Friday contest, San Antonio aims to build on their momentum in the two-game series against the struggling Trail Blazers, who own the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
Thursday’s game saw the Spurs establishing dominance early, securing a 38-14 lead after the first quarter and maintaining control throughout. Devin Vassell contributed 17 points, Jeremy Sochan scored 16, Malaki Branham added 13, and Zach Collins contributed 11. The Spurs recorded 33 assists, with Vassell accounting for seven.
“We wanted this one really badly, you know, starting from (Wednesday) when we got here, so it feels good to win,” remarked Sochan, emphasizing the team’s resilience.
The Trail Blazers, led by Jerami Grant’s 29 points and 10 rebounds, along with Malcolm Brogdon’s 29 points and Scoot Henderson’s 25, struggled to mount a comeback. Portland has faced challenges recently, dropping three of their last four games and 10 of their past 12.
The absence of key players like Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Duop Reath further hampered the Trail Blazers’ efforts on Thursday. These players will be game-time decisions for the Friday rematch.
While the Spurs celebrate breaking a five-game losing streak and an 11-game road skid, they face the challenge of maintaining momentum without Wembanyama. The upcoming clash promises to be an intriguing battle, with the Spurs seeking only their third win in 13 December games.
As the teams gear up for their next encounter on January 26 in San Antonio, the spotlight remains on the Rookie of the Year race between Wembanyama and Henderson, the first and third picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. Henderson expressed his determination to pursue the Rookie of the Year title, emphasizing that the competition is still open.
