The San Antonio Spurs orchestrated a stunning comeback to secure a nail-biting 115-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns in a frenetic finish.
Despite trailing by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, the San Antonio Spurs clawed their way back into the game. Victor Wembanyama’s clutch jump shot narrowed the deficit to 114-111 with just 49 seconds remaining.
However, the pivotal moment came when the number one draft pick delivered a game-changing dunk from a rebound with a mere six seconds left. Keldon Johnson’s crucial steal from Kevin Durant allowed him to score, granting the San Antonio Spurs their sole lead of the game with a mere 1.2 seconds left on the clock.
In a separate milestone, Durant became the 12th player in NBA history to achieve 27,000 points, accomplished with his 26-point performance at Footprint Center. This remarkable feat was reached in his 990th game, placing him in esteemed company alongside Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only individuals to achieve this milestone in fewer matches.
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Johnson was the top scorer for the Spurs, notching up 27 points, while the French rookie Wembanyama, in only his fourth NBA game, and Devin Vassell each contributed 18 points. This impressive recovery came on the heels of a 40-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and marked the Spurs’ first away win of the season. As the San Antonio Spurs currently occupy the eighth spot in the Western Conference and the Suns the tenth, anticipation is building for their rematch at the same venue on Thursday.
In other NBA action, Julius Randle’s 19-point performance, coupled with ten rebounds, fueled the New York Knicks’ 109-91 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 26 points for the Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, Paul George’s standout performance, boasting 27 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 118-102 victory against the Orlando Magic.
George overcame a slow start in the first quarter, where he missed all six of his shots, to make four three-pointers and score 14 points in the pivotal third quarter.