Victor Wembanyama delivered an impactful performance with 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and five blocks, leading the San Antonio Spurs (2-3) to a 106-88 victory over the Utah Jazz (0-5) on Thursday night. This stat line marked the second time in his career that Wembanyama has tallied at least five in each of these categories.
San Antonio overcame a rough start after trailing 30-19 at the end of the first quarter, following a 13-0 run by Utah powered by three consecutive 3-pointers from Patty Mills. However, the Spurs stormed back in the third quarter, erasing a double-digit deficit with a 12-0 run capped by Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson, who combined for three baskets off steals. This sequence helped San Antonio take a 63-55 lead that they maintained for the remainder of the game.
Veteran guard Chris Paul contributed 19 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds, playing a pivotal role in San Antonio’s offense as the team pushed its lead to 20 points in the fourth quarter. Paul was especially efficient, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 3-for-7 from beyond the arc.
The Jazz, playing without starting forward Lauri Markkanen due to back spasms, struggled to generate consistent offense and ended with 26 turnovers. Utah’s inability to maintain possession contributed to 35 points for San Antonio off turnovers, which underscored Utah’s offensive struggles.
Offensively, Utah’s Collin Sexton led with 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting, while John Collins added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Keyonte George had a difficult night, committing a career-high seven turnovers, which hindered the Jazz’s ability to close the gap as San Antonio’s defense tightened.
Wembanyama’s dominant play was complemented by San Antonio’s balanced scoring effort. Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie contributed off the bench with 13 points and six points, respectively, while Zach Collins and Malaki Branham combined for 10 points, adding depth to the Spurs’ rotation. As a team, San Antonio shot 38-for-92 (41.3%) from the field and connected on 12 of their 43 attempts from three-point range.
Utah’s lack of offense without Markkanen was evident, as the team managed only 32-for-82 (39%) shooting overall, including a cold 7-for-32 (21.9%) from beyond the arc. John Collins was one of Utah’s few bright spots with his 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Walker Kessler added six points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.
