An invigorated Victor Wembanyama proved too strong for a Clippers club that was playing with little rest. With a scorching first quarter and 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 26 minutes, Wembanyama capped off an incredible month. The San Antonio Spurs won 122-86 on Tuesday night. In a single month, Wembanyama became the first player in league history to record 300 points, 100 rebounds, 50 blocks, 50 assists, and 40 3-pointers. The Clippers were playing the second game of a back-to-back road series that began Monday night with a thrilling victory in New Orleans. They struggled to get going in this one, largely because to Wembanyama’s strong start and the spurs. The French sensation, who stands 7 feet 3 inches tall, equaled the Clippers’ first-quarter total of 17 points. After three quarters, the Clippers were behind by 28 points, from 25 points late in the first half, and by as much as 41 points in the closing seconds. Despite having three consecutive victories, the Clippers shot 34.5% from the field, including 11 of 41 from three-point range. James Harden scored 17 points, including 13 in the first quarter, to lead the Clippers. Amir Coffey scored 14 points and Norman Powell added 15, but big Ivica Zubac was restricted to five points on 2-for-7 shooting, ending the Clippers’ three-game winning streak. Stephon Castle scored 15 points for the Spurs, while Keldon Johnson contributed 17.
Harrison Barnes scored 11 as the Spurs won for the second time in three games and posted their largest winning margin this season. The Spurs never trailed, scoring the game’s first six points and going ahead 18-8 on a Devin Vassell jumper with 5:12 left in the first quarter. Wembanyama scored nine of San Antonio’s final 11 points in the period, and the Spurs led 31-17 after 12 minutes. San Antonio extended its advantage to 20 points on a Julian Champagnie step-back 3-pointer with 7:50 left in the second period. Wembanyama’s dunk off a Chris Paul steal and assist off the backboard with 2:04 left pushed the margin to 25 points before Powell’s layup with three seconds left brought the Clippers within 63-43 at the halftime break.
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