San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson described Monday night’s 114-103 road win over the Detroit Pistons as a test of toughness rather than shot-making.
“I thought it was a really competitive game, very physical,” Johnson said after the victory at Little Caesars Arena. “We made some shots early and they reminded us very quickly it was not going to be about that tonight.”
The Spurs improved to 40-16 and extended their winning streak to nine games, trailing only Oklahoma City in the Western Conference standings.
Johnson pointed to his team’s composure when the game shifted from rhythm to resistance.
“I thought we settled in very appropriately at times during the game,” he said. “There were a few times where there was physicality, contact, a touching sequence or moment or situation. I thought we responded very appropriately at times.”
San Antonio finished with 32 assists and 12 turnovers while shooting 42% from the field and 45% from three.
“I thought we did a pretty good job,” Johnson said of valuing possessions. “We had just that game take on a personality that we probably have not experienced in a little bit.”
He stressed trust in the pass over isolation.
“We have a lot of guys that can make plays,” he said. “When we trust that and embrace that and then also rebound and finish the stop so we can flow into our defense to offense with pace, we are tough.”
Devin Vassell led the way with 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including 7-of-11 from three.
“I thought Devin did a great job of that,” Johnson said.
Victor Wembanyama added 21 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks despite shooting 6-of-16.
“That is what it is going to take to beat teams like this,” Johnson said. “We cannot hang our hat on shot making or offensive creation or trying to score.”
He credited the All-Star center’s defensive impact.
“I thought he did a great job of not allowing that to deter him from putting his energy into the right spots and all other facets of the game,” Johnson said.
Detroit entered at 42-13 and leads the Eastern Conference, but Cade Cunningham shot 5-of-26.
“I thought his game plan execution and competitiveness while being physical and trying to move his feet and show his hands was excellent,” Johnson said of Stephon Castle’s defense.
Johnson framed the matchup as a playoff-style environment.
“Anytime we can play a competitive game you want to win,” he said. “But a competitive game against a team of this caliber, there are learning lessons and moments and things to reference.”
He acknowledged that opponents will test San Antonio’s physical limits.
“I would assume most teams are going to talk about that when they talk about scouting us and how to try to impose their will on us,” Johnson said. “That is not something we are going to avoid.”
The Spurs’ approach, he explained, is built on pace and anticipation rather than brute force.
“I think our activity, our pace, our connectivity and our anticipation can be ways to impose our will physically,” Johnson said. “Just like a boxer that wants to move around the ring and use his jab and use activity.”
