SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama delivered an impressive performance with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 144-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. This win marked a season-high scoring for the Spurs and helped them break a two-game losing streak, achieving only their second victory in their last seven games.
Keldon Johnson contributed significantly with 24 points, while Stephon Castle added another 20 to the scoreboard for San Antonio. For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo put forth a valiant effort, scoring 35 points and securing 13 rebounds. Damian Lillard also made his mark for Milwaukee with 22 points, and Khris Middleton contributed 21 points to the team’s efforts.
Wembanyama’s shooting was notable as he went 9 for 20 from the field, showcasing his skills just a day after being selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve in the Western Conference. One of the highlight plays of the night was a remarkable 34-foot 3-pointer he banked in with 7:18 left in the third quarter. The shot hit the backboard, ricocheted off the front of the rim, tapped the backboard, and finally dropped in, eliciting gasps and cheers from the crowd. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers was left bewildered, raising his arms in disbelief. Wembanyama capped a stellar third quarter by hitting a running, one-legged three-pointer as well.
Key takeaways from the game included Middleton’s impressive performance off the bench, where he shot 8 for 9 from the field, including 3 for 4 from beyond the arc, in just 23 minutes of play. On the Spurs’ side, Castle has been consistent since returning to the starting lineup, averaging 16.8 points and 3.3 assists over the last nine games.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Wembanyama managed to hold the Bucks to just two points in the first quarter, despite struggling with his shooting, going 1 for 4. His defensive prowess shone through with three blocks, including two crucial ones against Antetokounmpo in just 14 seconds early in the match. The Bucks’ star managed to avoid a third block by making a strong dunk over Wembanyama.
In terms of team statistics, the Spurs excelled in the third quarter, outscoring the Bucks 45-30 and shooting 15 for 25 from the field during that stretch.
Looking ahead, the Bucks are set to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Spurs will face off against the Miami Heat on Saturday, concluding their three-game homestand.
