The San Antonio Spurs secured their 50th win of the season with a 119-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night at Intuit Dome.
San Antonio overcame a slow start and a late push from Los Angeles, holding firm in the closing seconds to preserve the win and remain within three games of the top spot in the Western Conference.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 23 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, controlling the offense and creating scoring opportunities throughout the night.
Victor Wembanyama added 21 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the interior on both ends while recording a double-double and four blocks.
Devin Vassell contributed 20 points, spacing the floor with four three-pointers as San Antonio balanced its scoring across the starting lineup.
The Clippers opened strong, racing to a 17-3 lead while shooting 65% in the first quarter and hitting five of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc.
San Antonio responded by closing the first quarter and opening the second on a 15-0 run, shifting momentum and outscoring Los Angeles 37-15 in the second period to take a 66-52 halftime lead.
The Spurs extended that advantage to as many as 24 points in the third quarter behind improved shot selection and defensive pressure.
Los Angeles answered with a 16-3 run late in the third, cutting the deficit to 10 entering the final period and setting up a competitive finish.
After San Antonio pushed the lead back to 115-102, Darius Garland sparked another comeback attempt, scoring seven of the Clippers’ next nine points to trim the margin to four with 38 seconds remaining.
The Spurs closed the game at the free-throw line, converting four straight attempts to maintain separation and secure the result.
Garland led the Clippers with 25 points and 10 assists, while Jordan Miller added 22 points off the bench as Los Angeles’ reserves outscored San Antonio’s second unit 57-30.
The Clippers had six players score in double figures but were without Kawhi Leonard, who missed the game with a sprained left knee.
San Antonio improved to 50-18, reaching the milestone for the first time since the 2016-17 season and reinforcing its position near the top of the conference standings.
Los Angeles fell to 34-34, dropping back to .500 as it continues to fight for a play-in spot in a crowded Western Conference race.
The Spurs will complete a back-to-back in Sacramento on Tuesday, while the Clippers head to New Orleans on Wednesday.
