Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs prime Minnesota Timberwolves

SAN ANTONIO — Keldon Johnson took his seat on the postgame podium and interrupted the primary query requested with a query of his personal.

“That is the primary crew within the West, proper?” the San Antonio Spurs ahead requested.

Johnson’s Spurs, who had the worst report within the Western Convention getting into Saturday, trailed by as many 15 factors earlier than coming from behind and holding on for a 113-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who — as Johnson requested — entered the evening tied for the perfect report within the West.

As the ultimate buzzer sounded all through the Frost Financial institution Heart, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama implored the group to get even louder as San Antonio secured back-to-back victories at house for the primary time all season.

“That is the perfect win we have had,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich mentioned.

Wembanyama mentioned if this wasn’t the perfect win, it was the win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 15 that snapped a franchise-record 18-game dropping streak.

“However it’s positively a great one and I believe tonight we now have to really feel proud about what we did and get used to the sensation so we are able to repeat it,” Wembanyama mentioned.

San Antonio trailed by 15 within the first half and was down by 10 getting into the fourth quarter however began the ultimate body on a 13-2 run to take a lead with 8:42 remaining. It remained a one-possession recreation till a Wembanyama 3-pointer gave the Spurs a five-point lead with 1:55 left.

With an opportunity to place much more distance between them late, the Spurs faltered. Wembanyama missed two free throws with 49.7 seconds left and Anthony Edwards hit a layup on the following possession to tie the sport at 112.

San Antonio missed a layup to go forward, however within the scramble for the offensive rebound, Johnson was fouled. He made simply considered one of his two free throws giving Minnesota an opportunity to take the lead.

On the ultimate possession for the Timberwolves, the Spurs doubled Edwards after he crossed halfcourt, and he discovered Karl-Anthony Cities on the left wing. With Wembanyama guarding him, Cities created area with a step-back and tried a 3-pointer for the win, however his shot hit the entrance of the rim.

“All people simply scrambled and made s— occur,” Johnson mentioned of the Spurs’ protection on the ultimate play.

“We performed for one another, we performed collectively and as a crew we stepped up and made huge performs,” Johnson mentioned. “So, coming down the stretch, we received stops and that was the primary factor. That is huge time proper there. That is huge time. All of us did it collectively.”

Devin Vassell, who scored a team-high 25 factors, mentioned he can see the crew beginning to change and are available round after a tough begin to the season.

“I believe we’re simply rising and maturing,” Vassell mentioned. “There can be instances the place groups go on a run and we put our heads down and nearly get defeated already. Basketball is a recreation of runs. So proper now, we have simply been sticking with it. We have been taking part in 48 minutes.”

Wembanyama completed with 23 factors, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks and a couple of steals. He was a plus-14 throughout his 8 minutes, 36 seconds within the fourth quarter.

It was the primary time Wembanyama performed a back-to-back since November. He had missed not less than one half of the final 4 back-to-backs the Spurs had performed, three since he began taking part in on a minutes restriction after spraining his ankle thrice in a 12-day span.

Popovich mentioned that Wembanyama’s minutes restrictions may very well be coming to an finish quickly. Wembanyama, who mentioned his physique felt “nearly as good as we are able to ask for” after taking part in the back-to-back, mentioned he is aware of the crew can be sensible with what comes subsequent.

“I believe it is one thing we have to look ahead to the subsequent 15, 20, 30 video games,” Wembanyama mentioned. “We’ll see. I believe I am most likely not going to play 45 minutes anytime quickly.”