San Antonio vs. Utah, Final Score: Spurs beat Jazz for fourth straight win, 128-115

The San Antonio Spurs entered their game vs Utah Jazz with their NBA Cup chances on the line and an opportunity to extend their winning streak. They got a strong performance from their superstar and rookie as they defeated the Jazz 128-115.

Victor Wembanyama appeared on both ends, scoring 34 points while adding 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. His rising partner in crime and other half of the “Area 51” nickname, Stephon Castle, had 23 points and 5 assists, matching his career high in scoring. The budding duo was backed by the likes of Julian Champagnie and Chris Paul on a fourth-quarter run that suffocated the Jazz and won the game for the Spurs.

With the win, the Spurs remain in second place in West Group B for the NBA Cup. They will need Los Angeles Lakers to lose to Phoenix Suns to have a chance to move out of their group. If Phoenix wins on Tuesday, the winner of the Spurs and Suns next week will likely decide the winner of the group.

San Antonio travels to Los Angeles for a matchup with the Lakers on Wednesday night, with both teams set to play the second game of a back-to-back.

Observations:

• The Spurs’ four-game winning streak is their longest since March 2022. San Antonio rode the hot streak at the end of the 2021-2022 season to a play-in appearance. This year’s Spurs are fighting for a chance to come back this season.
• Zach Collins was benched in the second half after playing just 6 minutes in the first half and failing to score a basket. Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson opted to go with Charles Bassey as Wembanyama’s backup in the second half. Neither player was particularly effective, but Bassey provided some physicality from the bench. Bassey finished with 2 points and 2 rebounds in 5 minutes.
• Champagnie picked a good time to get hot from three. He hit three deep balls down the stretch to help the Spurs pull ahead. The wing finished with 15 points while shooting 4-9 from three.
• The Spurs grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, many of them in the clutch. Long rebounds landed in the hands of the Spurs as they beat the Jazz to almost every 50-50 ball down the stretch. San Antonio turned up their intensity at the perfect time to seal a victory in the fourth quarter.
• Sandro Mamukelashvili provided big minutes, especially in the fourth quarter. In 12 minutes, Mamu was a perfect 4-4 from the field and scored 9 points. He has been part of some positive Spurs runs throughout this winning streak and it is clear that the coaching staff like what he brings to the pitch alongside Wembanyama.
• San Antonio’s defense swarmed in the fourth quarter and was a big part of what put them on their game-winning run. The Jazz turned the ball over 21 times. The Spurs took advantage and scored 33 points from those giveaways. San Antonio did a good job of disrupting the Jazz offense most of the night with 12 steals and 4 blocks.