Without rookies Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach — one of their lead scorers and the lead rebounder from their first encounter — the Suns needed to keep up with the Spurs’ pace early in the game. They did just that. With key plays and crucial buckets, Valley stayed within five points at halftime, a significant difference from their 20-point deficit from Sunday.
However, as the second half went on, Austin’s defensive attack — highlighted by an 11-5 run to open the half — helped them maintain substantial leads throughout. Despite getting within five in the fourth quarter, the Suns had no answers as the Spurs kept their attack going.
Oct 22, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns/Valley Suns guard Koby Brea against the Sacramento Kings at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Even with the loss, head coach Paul Jesperson believed it was a “cleaner” game than Sunday’s, giving credit to the Spurs and how they made his team work and grind in both games.
“I thought our guys responded from game one,” he said. “…We shot the ball [poorly], from three specifically. I thought we generated great shots throughout the game. We just weren’t able to capitalize.”
“I thought our guys responded from game one.”
Valley Suns head coach Paul Jesperson on the team’s cleaner performance against the Austin Spurs in their second game against each other in two days.
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Guard JaQuori McLaughlin returned to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with illness and was one of the tempo-setters, hitting tough shots and driving hard to the rim. He finished the night with 15 points, two rebounds and five assists.
“[McLaughlin] provides, similar to [Sean McDermott], a level of soundness,” Jesperson said. “Specifically, offensively. Helps us get into our actions, knows what we’re trying to achieve out of those actions and just has a great overall pace to his game.”
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The Suns will close out January with another home matchup against the Delaware Blue Coats on Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m.