SAN ANTONIO — On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a challenging performance to secure a 128-116 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, led by star players Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell, who both scored 27 points.
Further contributing to the win, Clippers center Ivica Zubac delivered an impressive game, finishing with 21 points and an outstanding 22 rebounds. San Antonio’s standout rookie, Victor Wembanyama, had a solid showing as well, achieving 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Unfortunately for the Spurs, this loss marked their fifth defeat in six games, adding to their struggles this season.
The matchup between Wembanyama and Zubac was particularly intense, with one physical exchange nearly escalating into a confrontation during the latter part of the third quarter. Following a three-pointer from Harrison Barnes, Zubac knocked Wembanyama to the floor. After getting up, Wembanyama chased Zubac, but was restrained by Spurs personnel as they moved onto the court for a timeout. Tensions were high as Zubac, frustrated by a no-call earlier when Wembanyama blocked his shot, expressed his displeasure about the officiating. Ultimately, there were no penalties issued after the incident, and the referees chose not to review the play.
As the game progressed, San Antonio closed out the third quarter on a strong note, outscoring the Clippers 17-9 and taking a one-point lead going into the final period. However, Los Angeles pulled together to clinch their third win in four games, showcasing resilience when it mattered most.
In addition to Wembanyama’s performance, Spurs rookie guard Stephon Castle contributed significantly with 20 points, while Devin Vassell added 19 points to the scoreboard. For the Clippers, a significant factor in their success was their three-point shooting, landing 50% of their attempts from beyond the arc. It’s also noteworthy that San Antonio forward Jeremy Sochan was limited to only seven points and failed to record any rebounds, continuing his absence from the starting lineup due to a persistent lower back injury.
One pivotal moment in the game came when the Clippers unleashed a dominant 15-2 run over a span of about three and a half minutes. This surge enabled them to establish a 119-107 lead after Wembanyama’s step-back three-pointer had briefly given the Spurs a 105-104 advantage with just over five minutes remaining.
In the statistical spotlight, Wembanyama made history by extending his record to 35 consecutive games with at least one block and one three-pointer, underlining his impressive capabilities as a rookie.
Looking ahead, the Clippers are set to face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, while the Spurs will be welcoming the Milwaukee Bucks to their home court on the same night.
