Victor Wembanya and Devin Vassell celebrate after the San Antonio Spurs’ hard-fought overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets. (San Antonio Spurs)
Victor Wembanyama showcased his dominance once again, finishing with 33 points and 15 rebounds to guide the San Antonio Spurs to a hard-fought 122-115 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets at the Frost Bank Center on Monday (PHL time).
In an impressive display, Wembanyama also contributed seven assists and seven blocks, marking his 36th double-double in just 60 games.
The rookie center continued his stellar performances, with five games recording at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and five assists.
With just a minute left in regulation, Keldon Johnson’s clutch 3-pointer gave the Spurs a crucial 110-107 lead, part of a 17-4 run that included four consecutive points from Wembanyama to level the score.
Despite Dennis Schroder’s game-tying 3-pointer with 16 seconds left, San Antonio had opportunities to clinch the win in regulation, with missed shots from long range by Devin Vassell and Wembanyama.
During a crucial moment in overtime, Wembanyama electrified the crowd with an alley-oop dunk and followed it up by denying Schroder’s layup attempt, preserving the Spurs’ narrow 116-115 lead with only 38 seconds remaining.
The Nets had another opportunity to tie the game, but Cam Johnson’s 3-pointer missed its mark. The Spurs then secured the rebound, effectively closing out the win.
Aside from Wemby, Devin Vassell also had a solid outing with 25 points, eight rebounds, and two assists for San Antonio.
Schroder, meanwhile, ended the game with 19 points, while Cam Thomas had 31 points in the Nets’ losing effort.
With a record of 15-53, the Spurs face a tough task ahead, needing to win at least five of their remaining 14 games to avoid matching their franchise’s worst record of 20-62 set in 1997.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, now with a 26-41 record, trails Atlanta by four games for the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference and the final berth in the Play-In tournament.