Victor Wembanyama delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night, dropping 34 points and leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 128-115 victory over the Utah Jazz in an NBA Cup showdown.
The 7-foot-3 phenom showcased his range, knocking down six three-pointers while shooting an efficient 13-of-23 from the field.
Rookie Stephon Castle matched his season-high with 23 points, providing a significant boost for San Antonio. Castle’s aggressive playmaking helped the Spurs maintain control throughout, while Julian Champagnie added 15 points, including three clutch triples in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The night wasn’t without its setbacks for Utah. Lauri Markkanen had to be helped off the court after a fourth-quarter collision with Wembanyama that left him unable to return. Markkanen’s injury capped a frustrating night for the Jazz star, who went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc and struggled to find his rhythm.
Keyonte George led Utah with 26 points, connecting on six of his 12 three-point attempts. Despite George’s hot hand, the Jazz were undone by their inability to take care of the ball, committing 21 turnovers. Collin Sexton and John Collins added 20 points each, but Utah’s miscues proved too costly, eliminating them from NBA Cup quarterfinal contention.
For the Spurs, ball movement was a key factor. San Antonio dished out 30 assists, well above their season average of 27.9. The Spurs’ unselfish play, combined with a dominant rebounding effort in the second half where they outrebounded Utah 25-15, allowed them to control the pace and tempo of the game.
A pivotal moment came late in the fourth quarter when Champagnie buried back-to-back threes to extend San Antonio’s lead. Shortly after, Wembanyama showcased his defensive prowess, forcing Utah into tough shots and capitalizing on the other end.
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Utah’s offense, which shot an impressive 51% from the field, faltered in the final period. After hitting 45% of their three-pointers in the first half, the Jazz went cold, sinking just 4-of-14 from beyond the arc in the second half.
Another key turning point came with 1:43 left on the clock when Chris Paul drained a three-pointer to beat the shot clock, giving the Spurs a commanding 121-109 lead. From there, San Antonio’s defense clamped down, holding the Jazz to just 22 fourth-quarter points and securing the win.
Despite the loss, George’s performance continues to be a bright spot for Utah. His development as a scorer and playmaker bodes well for the Jazz moving forward. However, their league-leading turnover rate remains a glaring issue that needs to be addressed if they hope to compete at a higher level.
For San Antonio, Wembanyama continues to make his case as one of the league’s most dynamic young stars. His combination of size, skill, and versatility has transformed the Spurs into a competitive force, and with Castle and Champagnie stepping up, the team’s depth is beginning to show.
Up next, the Spurs will face another tough test as they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Jazz will look to bounce back as they return home to take on the Denver Nuggets.
With Wembanyama leading the charge, the Spurs have positioned themselves as a team to watch, not only in the NBA Cup but throughout the regular season.
