The rivalry between the youthful players of the Spurs and Rockets is heating up, and it will be reignited when San Antonio hosts Houston on Monday, the second time in three nights. Separated by just 193 miles, the rivalry between these teams is well-established, though much of its history is lost on the current players. Neither team has made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season, with Houston just missing out last year and San Antonio enduring a five-year playoff drought.
The rivalry has seen a resurgence as both teams battle for respectability. San Antonio guard Jeremy Sochan added fuel to the fire by making a provocative statement about Houston ahead of Saturday’s game. This intensity was evident in the Spurs’ 109-106 win over the Rockets, highlighted by a scuffle between Victor Wembanyama and Dillon Brooks over a loose ball in the third quarter.
Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29 points, while rookie Stephon Castle hit a crucial free throw with 7.2 seconds left to secure the win. San Antonio outscored Houston 20-3 in the final 9.5 minutes of the second quarter to build a 21-point halftime lead. Despite the Rockets cutting the lead to two points in the fourth quarter, the Spurs held on.
Sochan added 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes also contributed significantly off the bench. Jalen Green scored 11 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to fuel Houston’s comeback, with Fred VanVleet adding 18 points, Brooks 16, Jock Landale 13, and Cam Whitmore 10.
The Spurs and Rockets will face each other again on November 6 in Houston, with the final regular-season meeting scheduled for February 26. This rekindled rivalry promises more exciting matchups as both teams strive to make a mark this season.
