Victor Wembanyama makes his second career visit to California’s capital, seeking his first win there, as the San Antonio Spurs face the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.
The Spurs played twice in Sacramento last season, but Wembanyama only played once before the Kings’ fans. He made a strong impression with 19 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and five blocks in his Sacramento debut last February, although the Kings won 127-122. He missed the other game due to a sprained ankle.
The Kings swept the three-game series last season, but Wembanyama notched a win against them with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks in a 116-96 victory in San Antonio on November 11.
This matchup starts a two-game trip for the Spurs, who might be looking ahead to Tuesday’s NBA Cup contest in Phoenix. San Antonio enters that round-robin finale in a three-way tie atop West Group B with the Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Spurs’ four-game winning streak ended with a 119-101 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Wembanyama had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in the defeat.
The club found a silver lining with Devin Vassell returning from a five-game absence due to a knee injury, contributing 14 points off the bench in 21 minutes.
Vassell also scored 12 points and had four assists off the bench in the earlier win over the Kings.
Wembanyama received substantial support during the recent winning streak from rookie Stephon Castle, who averaged 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds during the run.
Sacramento has showcased a different look in the last two games, with Jae Crowder not only joining the team but being inserted directly into the starting lineup.
The 13-year veteran, signed as a free agent, made his season debut with eight points and four rebounds in 27 minutes in a 115-104 win at Minnesota on Wednesday. He then recorded 10 points and two rebounds in Friday’s 115-106 loss at Portland, the Kings’ fifth defeat in their last six games.
Crowder has yet to play alongside DeMar DeRozan, who has missed Sacramento’s last two games with a sore back. DeRozan remains questionable for Sunday’s game against his former team.
Domantas Sabonis notched his fourth triple-double of the season in Friday’s loss at Portland, with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. He also had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in Wembanyama’s only visit to Sacramento last season.
