SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio middle Victor Wembanyama launched years of frustration for this storied franchise with a fiery scream after the Spurs held on to beat the Miami Warmth on Thursday evening
San Antonio defeated Miami 107-101 and set a franchise report by opening the season 5-0.
Successful 5 straight holds greater than historic significance for this youthful roster. It is proof the Spurs are trending in the appropriate course after years of futility.
“Bored with shedding,” mentioned San Antonio guard Devin Vassell, who’s in his sixth season. “I’ve been right here for a very long time and it’s been a journey. I can say that, however simply uninterested in shedding.”
The fatigue is comprehensible.
San Antonio established a report for futility by shedding 16 straight in 2023 after which exceeded it the next season with 18 consecutive losses. The Spurs misplaced at the very least 5 straight on 11 events over the previous three seasons with a 78-168 report throughout that span.
It was haunting for a franchise that gained 5 NBA championships, matched a league report with 22 straight postseason appearances, and had 21 profitable streaks of 10-plus video games throughout its 53-year historical past in San Antonio.
But as profitable because the Spurs had been, they by no means opened a season with 5 straight victories till Thursday.
Now that franchise report belongs to a roster led by a 21-year-old middle from France and 9 different gamers 25 or youthful who’ve by no means gained 35 video games in a season.
“Feels good to be profitable,” mentioned Spurs ahead Keldon Johnson, in his seventh season. “Finest feeling on the earth.”
So, Wembanyama’s scream after beating Miami was as a lot an exorcism because it was a celebration.
“I used to be fascinated about the 5-0 report, the Spurs historical past, and I used to be simply proud being a Spur in that second,” Wembanyama mentioned.
That the Spurs blew a 15-point lead towards the Warmth and trailed 91-90 with 6:44 remaining solely made their record-setting victory sweeter.
“We didn’t get these 5 wins randomly,” Wembanyama mentioned. “We labored for it. We began the season robust and we hold that streak going for so long as doable. It’s good to see outcomes as a result of we could possibly be enjoying good and nonetheless not getting as many wins as we want, but it surely’s good to have outcomes and it’s pushing us.”
Miami middle Bam Adebayo made issues particularly tough for Wembanyama.
Adebayo had 31 factors and 10 rebounds whereas battling Wembanyama on each ends.
Wembanyama completed 10 for 23 from the sphere whereas enjoying 40 minutes.
“Factor is making him take uncomfortable photographs, getting him out of his rhythm and doing that as a collective unit,” Adebayo mentioned. “It wasn’t simply me guarding him. Andrew Wiggins had some nice flybys when he was capturing the ball from behind the place he couldn’t see. All that issues to make any individual miss.”
Miami opened the fourth quarter on a 17-1 run however San Antonio closed the sport on an 8-3 run to protect its profitable streak.
“The Spurs made extra performs down the stretch,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned. “It was a heck of a sport in these final three minutes.”
As he rose from the court docket after a tough foul by Wiggins with 14.6 seconds remaining, Wembanyama urged the sellout crowd to rise and have a good time.
“It’s the exclamation level,” Wembanyama mentioned.
