Game 28: Wemby, Spurs blow out Trail Blazers

(1) Wemby's unique double-double (2) Taking care of business (3) Blow out fueled by defense

Photo credit: Spurs.com

The San Antonio Spurs haven’t had many blowout wins this season, but Saturday at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Spurs took care of business against a team they were supposed to beat on paper.

The Spurs blew the game open in the second quarter, taking a 16-point lead into halftime. Led by Victor Wembanyama’s 30 points and 10 blocks, the Spurs kept their foot on the gas in the second half, building a lead as large as 26 points. Most of the Spurs’ starters didn’t have to play much in the fourth, as the Spurs cruised to the 20-point win, 114-94.

“I thought the physicialy was really good from the point of attack,” said Spurs Acting Head Coach Mitch Johnson of the Spurs’ defense after the game. “I thought we had some really good shifts as a team. We made them stay in crowds and still had active hands, so on the kick outs and pass outs, they weren’t direct chest passes in rhythm, for them to either shoot or drive closeouts. I think we did a good job as a team in terms of being connected, where Victor was in the right place to make those 10 blocks, but then when they dribbled it out or passed out, those other guys were in good position as well.”

“It’s always nice to have one like this,” said Wemby of the Spurs getting a win that didn’t go down to the wire.

With the win, the Spurs improved to 15-13 out West. Their win and a Phoenix loss moved the Spurs up from 11th to 9th in the play-in picture.

The Spurs improved to 11-7 at home, 13-12 against the Western Conference, and they remain a perfect 3-0 against the Blazers. Their final game against the Blazers won’t take place until April 6, 2025.

The Spurs matched their largest lead of the season at 26. The last time the Spurs led by 26 was November 4 in Los Angeles against the Clippers, a game where the Spurs lost.

Here are the items covered in this postgame edition:

• (1) Wemby’s unique double-double

• (2) Continuing to take care of business

• (3) Blowout fueled by defense

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(1) Wemby’s unique double-double

Wemby finished with a unique double-double of 30 points and 10 blocks. He was 3 rebounds shy of recording a triple double.

Let’s breakdown Wemby’s 30 points:

• Paint: 6 points - Wemby’s paint points came off a cut from the baseline and dunk while being fouled, a tip-in layup, and a drive and finish from the 3-point line with a layup.

• Free throw line: 10 points - Victor matched his season high with 10 made free throws, going 10-of-11 from the foul line. He got fouled on inside and two different outside looks.

• “I think he’s been more forceful,” said Coach Johnson of Wemby getting to the foul line. “I think he’s been more patient when he catches the ball, especially when he’s not being guarded by the traditional five man with the size, and I think he’s done a good job of just facing up and seeing when he has that 1-on-1 or space to continue to push through that initial contact. And once he does that, because he’s so long with those steps and his strides, he gets to that rim and it’s hard to not have more than incidental contact.”

• Mid-range: 2 points - Wemby’s lone mid-ranger came early in the opening quarter off a made shot off the glass.

• 3-Point line: 12 points - Victor went 4-of-8 from behind the arc. He made two rare corner threes, one a spot-up, the other a contested pump fake make. From the arc, he made a trail three and then relocated back to the line to drill a spot-up look. According to Spurs PR staffer Jordan Howenstine, Wemby became the 15th fastest player in league history to record 200 made threes in 94 games. That’s faster to 200 made threes than Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen, per Howenstine.

With his season high 10 blocks, Wemby tied his career high in blocks for a single game. Here’s a breakdown of his 10 blocks.