San Antonio emerged victorious against Houston with a narrow 109-106 win, in what was their home opener on Saturday night. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with an impressive performance, scoring 29 points, along with seven rebounds and three blocks while shooting an efficient 10 of 17 from the field. Jeremy Sochan contributed significantly, racking up 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Chris Paul also played a key role in the match, recording three points and dishing out nine assists. One notable play was his drive that set up Sochan for an open layup, giving San Antonio a 104-99 lead with just 1:35 left on the clock. Despite falling behind by as much as 22 points in the first half, the Rockets fought back fiercely. They turned a substantial deficit into a competitive game, orchestrating a 21-8 run in the opening minutes of the final quarter, which allowed them to take a brief 95-90 lead.
Jalen Green was the standout performer for Houston, finishing with 27 points. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks also made contributions, scoring 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Despite their strong finish, the Rockets struggled at the beginning of the game. They managed to shoot only 34% over the first three quarters, which included a dismal 17% in the second period. However, they found their rhythm in the final quarter, shooting an impressive 60%.
On the other hand, the Spurs initially had a hot start with their three-point shooting, hitting 6 of their first 7 attempts, but cooled down significantly afterward, ending the game with just 2 for 13 beyond the arc.
One of the defining moments of the game was when Chris Paul successfully connected with Wembanyama for two electrifying alley-oop dunks just before halftime, which helped push the Spurs’ lead to 59-38. These plays not only showcased Wembanyama’s talent but also ignited enthusiastic celebrations among Spurs fans.
A key statistic in the contest was the rebounding battle, where San Antonio displayed their physicality under coach Gregg Popovich, out-rebounding Houston 57-46, which proved crucial in securing their win.
Looking ahead, the Rockets are set to face the Spurs again on Monday, completing their two-game series in San Antonio.