De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 factors whereas Wembanyama had 19 factors and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes
NEW YORK:
Reigning champion Oklahoma Metropolis have the NBA’s finest file, however they can’t beat San Antonio, with celebrity Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench Thursday to assist elevate the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 factors whereas Wembanyama had 19 factors and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and guard Stephon Fortress added 19 factors for the Spurs, who stretched their win streak to eight video games.
“My first Christmas recreation,” Fox mentioned. “It feels nice getting one other victory.”
After roaring to a 24-1 begin, the Thunder have dropped 4 of their previous six video games — three of these losses coming to the Spurs.
“Whenever you play a workforce of this caliber, the small print are rather more magnified,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson mentioned. “We did an outstanding job as the sport progressed adhering to these nuances.”
Wembanyama would not name it a press release win for the season however he says the Spurs have discovered from beating the Thunder.
“I am probably not certain it is sensible to assume to this point into the longer term,” mentioned Wembanyama.
“This is sort of a playoff sequence. We performed them 3 times in 10 days so we discovered rather a lot on the technical aspect.”
Oklahoma Metropolis misplaced for the primary time in 15 residence video games this season regardless of 22 factors by reigning NBA Most Precious Participant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder sank their first seven photographs to take an 18-12 lead however the Spurs closed the primary quarter on an 11-0 run for a 41-36 edge and by no means seemed again.
“The blokes have been working their butts off,” Johnson mentioned.
The Spurs improved to 23-7, second within the Western Convention behind the Thunder at 26-5.
Fox made 12-of-19 photographs from the ground, 3-of-4 from three-point vary.
“He was carrying us a bit of bit,” Wembanyama mentioned. “He is a man who could make issues occur.”
The Spurs haven’t reached the playoffs since 2019 and haven’t gained a playoff sequence since 2017.
In different video games, Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 factors to guide the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96.
Kevin Durant added 25 factors and Alperen Sengun had 14 factors and 12 rebounds for Houston.
“We needed to come back out right here and play with a way of urgency for 48 minutes,” Durant mentioned. “The basketball world is watching you tonight.”
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 factors whereas four-time NBA MVP LeBron James added 18 factors.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring chief, performed in his twentieth NBA Christmas contest, his vacation file falling to 11-9.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had 12 factors in quarter-hour earlier than leaving with left calf soreness.
Knicks outlast Cavs
At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 factors to guide the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 34 factors, grabbed a 103-86 lead with 10:25 remaining however New York closed on a 40-21 run to grab the victory.
Benson, who hit 6-of-12 from three-point vary, lifted the Knicks forward for good at 121-119 on a three-pointer with 65 seconds remaining.
It was Benson’s ninetieth 30-point recreation as a Knick, a complete eclipsed solely by Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony.
Jordan Clarkson added 25 factors off the New York bench.
At San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 23 factors regardless of capturing 6-of-18 total and 2-of-10 from three-point vary to guide Golden State over Dallas 126-116.
“Did not shoot it effectively however we bought an awesome win,” Curry mentioned. “Simply targeted on the small print of what this workforce can do to win.”
Seven Warriors scored in double figures with Jimmy Butler contributing 14 factors, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
The Mavericks’ 19-year-old ahead Cooper Flagg, the second-youngest NBA Christmas starter after 18-year-old James in 2003, scored a game-high 27 factors.
Dallas star Anthony Davis exited after taking part in solely 11 minutes with what seemed to be a groin harm.
Dallas guard Klay Thompson scored seven factors in a return to the Bay Space, the place he helped Golden State seize 4 NBA titles.
