Julian Champagnie scored 26 points to guide the San Antonio Spurs to a 126-110 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Thursday, February 26.
The Spurs opened the game in commanding fashion, with Victor Wembanyama dropping a pass to Stephon Castle for a two-handed dunk just 13 seconds in, setting the tone for a 36-22 first-quarter lead. Castle finished with 18 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell added 14 points each.
San Antonio extended its advantage to 48-26 early in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Champagnie and led 71-56 at halftime. Brooklyn briefly cut the deficit to six with a 13-4 run early in the third quarter, but the Spurs responded with a 20-0 stretch to close the quarter up 104-84.
Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper contributed 13 and 12 points respectively, helping the Spurs shoot 49% overall and 40% from three-point range. San Antonio also won the rebounding battle 39-50, bolstering its control of the game.
The Nets were led by Michael Porter Jr., who posted 24 points and 14 rebounds, while reserve Day’Ron Sharpe added 14 points and 11 boards. Victor Wembanyama had a quiet night with 12 points, continuing a recent stretch of low offensive output. Brooklyn shot 46% from the field but only 38% from beyond the arc.
San Antonio improves to 43-16, marking its longest winning streak since a 13-game run in the 2015-16 season. Brooklyn falls to 15-43, extending its losing streak to six games and remaining at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The Spurs will face the New York Knicks on Sunday in a nationally televised matchup, while the Nets host Boston on Friday night as they try to stop their slide.
