LATE RALLY FAiLS:
Jalen Duren led a late Detroit Pistons fightback, but it ultimately fizzled as a resolute San Antonio Spurs saw out the game
Victor Wembanyama on Monday led a defensive masterclass as the San Antonio Spurs outmuscled the Detroit Pistons 114-103 in an intense and aggressive clash between the NBA’s two most in-form teams.
Sitting second in the Western Conference, the Spurs were pushed hard for their ninth straight victory by the East-topping Pistons, who had entered the home court matchup on a five-game winning streak of their own.
Defenses dominated the first meeting between the two sides this season, with Wembanyama making six blocks and 17 rebounds to fuel transitions as the Spurs pulled clear in the latter stages.
Photo: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
While the Pistons’ shooting was at times sloppy, Devin Vassell led the Spurs offense with 28 points, including seven three-pointers — as many as the entire Detroit team managed collectively.
“They tried to impose their will. We tried to get out on transition, keep getting stops, find an open man. That’s what we did,” Vassell said.
The Spurs had raced to a 12-point lead from tip-off, but they trailed by the end of the first quarter, setting the tone for a fiercely contested back-and-forth game.
Late in the second quarter, Cade Cunningham barged Stephon Castle to the floor, angering Spurs teammate Keldon Johnson, who earned a technical foul for retaliating, but the Pistons’ defense kept them in the game, putting Wembanyama under particular pressure. The French prodigy struggled to make an offensive mark on the early action.
San Antonio took a slender lead into halftime. The contest tightened further in the third quarter.
Spurs guard Dylan Harper was slammed off the court and face-first into a cameraman. Growing into the game, Wembanyama made multiple spectacular blocks and rebounds to propel his side up the court, as the Spurs opened a 15-point lead in the final quarter.
Jalen Duren led a late Pistons fightback, finishing with 25 points, but it ultimately fizzled as a resolute San Antonio saw out the game.
Wembanyama finished with 21 points, while Julian Champagnie added another 17.
“We all play for each other. We’re all super humble. All we want to do is win,” Vassell said.
The hard-fought victory puts the Spurs at 41-16, still trailing West-leading defending champions the Oklahoma City Thunder at 44-14.
Elsewhere, the Kings mauled the Grizzlies 123-114 and the Rockets silenced the Jazz 125-105.
Additional reporting by staff writer