AUSTIN, Texas — In a thrilling matchup, De’Aaron Fox showcased his talent by netting 11 consecutive points in the last three minutes, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 120-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. This win came in the wake of the disappointing news that Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Fox concluded the game with 26 points, complemented by nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. His performance was pivotal in securing the victory as the Spurs kicked off a two-game series in Austin, a city they have been aiming to grow their fan base in for several years.
In addition to Fox’s standout performance, Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie each contributed 15 points to the scoring efforts for San Antonio. Furthermore, Stephon Castle had a noteworthy game with 10 rebounds, and Chris Paul supported the team with 10 assists.
On the opposing side, Royce O’Neale was the leading scorer for the Suns with 27 points. Phoenix faced its fourth consecutive loss, marking their seventh defeat in the last eight games. Kevin Durant, making his return to the University of Texas campus where he played during the 2006-07 season, added 22 points to Phoenix’s total. During his time at Texas, he was recognized as player of the year by various outlets, including The Associated Press.
In terms of key takeaways, the Suns struggled significantly in the rebounding category, being outmatched 44-39 on the boards despite Wembanyama’s absence. Moreover, they were outscored 50-36 in points scored within the paint, indicating a significant area of weakness for the team.
For the Spurs, Paul made an impressive defensive contribution with two steals, allowing him to surpass Jason Kidd and secure second place on the NBA’s all-time steals list, only behind John Stockton. Bismack Biyombo filled in for Wembanyama and managed to score eight points in 16 minutes on the court, while Charles Bassey missed his sixth consecutive game due to a knee injury.
A critical moment in the game occurred when Castle executed a fast-break layup, followed by a three-pointer from Champagnie, allowing the Spurs to extend their lead to 94-79 by the end of the third quarter.
From a statistical standpoint, Biyombo made an impact despite being on a 10-day contract, scoring six points during the third quarter of the game.
Looking ahead, the Suns are set to face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, while the Spurs will host the Detroit Pistons on Friday, also in Austin.
