LOS ANGELES – Victor Wembanyama scored 18 points as the San Antonio Spurs staged a dramatic comeback to snatch a last-gasp 115-114 National Basketball Association (NBA) victory over Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
San Antonio, coming off a 40-point mauling by the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, looked to be heading for another defeat after Phoenix cruised into a 20-point lead early in the third quarter.
But a thrilling duel at the Footprint Centre was turned on its head by San Antonio in the fourth quarter, who outscored the Suns 33-19, to secure victory.
French prodigy Wembanyama, the No. 1 NBA Draft pick, played a crucial role in the comeback with a jump shot from 15 feet – making it a three-point game with 49 seconds left on the clock. The 2.24m teenager then tipped in a dunk to make it a one-point game with seven seconds remaining.
The decisive play, however, came from forward Keldon Johnson, who wrestled the ball away from a stunned Durant before driving to the basket for a lay-up that handed San Antonio their first lead of the game with just two seconds left.
There was still time for Durant to launch an attempted buzzer-beater, but his shot missed to leave San Antonio celebrating their first road win of the season.
“It wasn’t our prettiest game, but we’re learning every day and we’re on the right path,” the 19-year-old Wembanyama told broadcaster TNT.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saluted his team’s ability to keep grinding away.
“We made a gazillion mistakes – but it’s a game of mistakes. And so does every team. But we just kept playing and that’s the best thing about the group. I was really proud of them,” he said.
Wembanyama was one of five San Antonio players who finished in double figures. Johnson led the Spurs scoring with 27 points, while Wembanyama also had eight rebounds and four blocks.
The youngster from Paris revealed he had been determined not to be overawed by lining up against one of his NBA idols in Durant, who finished with 26 points to lead the Phoenix scoring.
“I mean KD, he’s just like in the highlights. Sometimes I want to think like ‘This is a guy I’ve watched for 10 years, like my idol’. But I’ve got to lock in because I know he’s going to try and step on me the whole game. So I don’t care he’s my idol,” Wembanyama said.
Wembanyama, who arrived in the NBA declaring he hoped to help San Antonio become championship contenders once again, added that the team’s transformation would require patience.
“How patient I am? As patient as we need to be. I’m new here. I don’t know yet what it takes to win a championship, but I’m eager to find out and make the sacrifices,” he said.
Over at the Crypto.com Arena, Paul George overcame a poor start to record 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and help the Clippers post a 118-102 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, with recruit James Harden watching on.
Russell Westbrook contributed 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals and Bones Hyland and Norman Powell added 17 points apiece for Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard scored just eight points on three-of-11 shooting.
Paolo Banchero notched 15 points and four steals, Franz Wagner added 14 points and eight rebounds and Moritz Wagner had 13 points for Orlando, who lost their second straight game. Markelle Fultz had 12 points, Jalen Suggs added 11 and Cole Anthony had 10.
George missed all six of his first-quarter shots and was 2 for 10 before half-time. However, he made four three-pointers and scored 14 points in the third quarter as Los Angeles gained control. Westbrook scored 16 points in a period that saw the Clippers outscore the Magic 41-21.
The Clippers won their second straight game one night after agreeing to acquire Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in a reported seven-player deal that also involves draft picks. The trade still needs approval from the league office. AFP, REUTERS
