After a heartbreaker in Sacramento, The San Antonio Spurs have been capable of take residence a snug win towards the Golden State Warriors 126-113 in San Francisco. Saturday’s victory was the primary matchup of a two-game collection that can end in San Antonio on Monday night time.
Coming into the sport, the Spurs have been 0-1 on the season towards the Warriors struggling a loss again in November. Sadly on this go round, each groups entered the matchup with out their greatest gamers.
A Steph-less Warriors would step on the court docket towards an much more compromised Spurs group that may lack Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, and Cedi Osman.
The Shorthanded Spurs Come Collectively
Regardless of lacking their greatest two gamers on the group, the Spurs have been capable of rally collectively and switch in a whole group effort to cease the Warriors at residence. 5 completely different Spurs hit double figures, and all 10 gamers that suited out for the group recorded minutes. With monstrous bench performances from Keldon Johnson (22 factors, 11 rebounds) and Dominick Barlow (19 factors, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), the group was capable of capitalize towards the Warriors sustaining a double-digit lead comfortably ranging from the second quarter of the sport.
The Spurs additionally recorded their greatest three-point share efficiency of the season. The Spurs have been taking pictures at 52%, whereas the Warriors shot 33% from the three-point line.
The Spurs shot a brand new season excessive 52% from three tonight.
Additionally they scored 51 factors from the 3PT line, one among their greater video games in made 3s for the season.
— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) March 10, 2024
Starters, Jeremy Sochan (20 factors) Julian Champagnie (17 factors), and Malaki Branham (20 factors) all turned in spectacular performances as effectively, and the increase from the bench made the engine run that a lot smoother.
After the sport, Popovich went on to say that Dominick Barlow and Devonte Graham turned in his favourite performances of the night time.
“Dom and Devonte’ have been my favourite gamers. Devonte hasn’t performed a lot, he got here in there and gave us an actual increase, settled issues down and Dom was actually strong at each ends of the ground all night time lengthy.”
Devontae Graham had a strong push for the group with eight factors, and two rebounds in 11 minutes of play.
Pop on Dominick Barlow and Devonte’ Graham off the bench tonight: “Dom and Devonte’ have been my favourite gamers. Devonte’ hasn’t performed a lot, he got here in there and gave us an actual increase, settled issues down and Dom was actually strong at each ends of the ground all night time lengthy.”
— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) March 10, 2024
Spherical Two In San Antonio
With San Antonio on the verge of setting a report for the fewest wins in franchise historical past, the group should win 6 video games out of the remaining 18 video games to keep away from that mark.
The Golden State Warriors will head south to San Antonio for a second matchup on Monday night time.
In the meantime, the Spurs will be capable to play at residence over their subsequent eight video games. This consists of the I-35 collection that can have Austin host Spurs within the Moody Middle, the place their G-League associates play.