San Antonio Spurs veteran Chris Paul expressed his frustration after his team’s narrow 114-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. Despite a strong effort, Paul emphasized the need for a shift in mentality.
“Sooner or later we’re going to get tired of it,” Paul said, via ClutchPoints. “We’ve just got to figure out how to win these games because we work too hard, play too hard and give ourselves an opportunity night in and night out. We’ve got to find a way to win.”
Paul also discussed the importance of learning from these close losses. When asked if losing is part of the learning process, he responded: “Win and learn at the same time, that’s the best way to do it. Like I said earlier, there’s no time like the present. Everybody’s not guaranteed to be here next year.”
The 39-year-old veteran stressed that the Spurs must develop a stronger mentality to close out games. “We’ve got to figure out where we get that grit from – where we impose our will,” Paul continued. “We’ve got to flip a switch to where teams know what to expect when we’re in these situations.”
San Antonio struggled to hold onto their commanding 19-point lead entering the final quarter. The Bulls mounted a thrilling comeback, led by Zach LaVine, who finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. LaVine’s stellar performance, coupled with Nikola Vucevic’s 24 points and 11 rebounds, powered Chicago’s rally.
Chicago’s fourth-quarter shooting display was key. The Bulls connected on 5 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc, closing the gap and making the game competitive. Coby White added 23 points, including a crucial game-winning layup with 47 seconds left to give the Bulls their first lead of the game.
The Spurs fought hard in the final moments, with Paul and Victor Wembanyama contributing. Wembanyama posted a double-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 blocks, but the Spurs couldn’t secure the win.
On the final possession, White capitalized on a turnover from Spurs guard Devin Vassell, scoring a dunk over Wembanyama, sealing Chicago’s comeback win.
The Spurs’ struggles in the final minutes, especially from beyond the arc, proved costly. San Antonio shot just 1 for 9 from three-point range in the fourth quarter, while the Bulls’ shooting efficiency from deep helped them complete the comeback.
Chicago’s victory improved their record to 17-19, while the Spurs fell to an even 18-18.
