Victor Wembanyama scored 36 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the short-handed Utah Jazz 117-111 in overtime Wednesday night at Delta Center, extending their winning streak to three games.
Devin Vassell added 21 points, including 17 after halftime, as San Antonio improved to 3-2. Utah fell to 1-4 despite a season-high 31 points from Keyonte George.
Wembanyama kept the Spurs within reach with 21 first-half points, but San Antonio trailed 55-51 at the break after Utah opened the game with a 32-point first quarter. The Jazz led by as many as 11 before the Spurs rallied behind Wembanyama and Vassell.
Utah appeared close to securing the win in regulation. With the Jazz trailing 105-100, Brice Sensabaugh and George scored consecutive baskets to tie the game. San Antonio missed its final four field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter, including De’Aaron Fox’s jumper at the buzzer.
Sensabaugh opened overtime with a three-pointer, but the Spurs answered with a decisive 12-0 run. San Antonio’s defense forced four turnovers in the extra period and held Utah to 2-for-7 shooting, limiting the Jazz to six points in overtime.
Wembanyama finished 14-for-25 from the field, made four three-pointers and converted all four free throws. He also recorded five assists, two steals and two blocks. Vassell shot 8-for-18, while Fox contributed 14 points and four assists. Stephon Castle had 14 points and eight assists.
George led Utah with 31 points on 11-for-27 shooting, including five three-pointers, but committed five turnovers. Ace Bailey scored 19 points, rookie Darryn Peterson added 18, and Sensabaugh finished with 16 points, making four of his five attempts from beyond the arc.
Peterson did not play in the closing stretch or overtime. Utah was already without three of its big men: Jaren Jackson, sidelined by a torn right MCL; Lauri Markkanen, out with a right wrist sprain; and Jusuf Nurkic, who has yet to play this season because of a foot injury.
The Spurs also remain without Tobias Harris.
San Antonio hosts Minnesota on Saturday, while Utah welcomes Portland that night.
