The San Antonio Spurs have shown that they can win even without their stars, thanks to their improved depth. Now, they need to prove they can maintain that performance.
They’ll have the chance to do so when they host the struggling Utah Jazz on Thursday in a Western Conference matchup.
These teams have faced each other twice this season. San Antonio secured an 18-point victory in Salt Lake City on October 31, but the Jazz evened the series with a one-point win on November 9 in San Antonio.
The Spurs are playing the second of a three-game homestand after a 110-104 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
That win snapped a two-game losing streak for San Antonio, which achieved the win despite missing star center Victor Wembanyama (bruised right knee) and guard Devin Vassell (sore left knee). Both players missed their second consecutive game and have been ruled out against the Jazz.
Keldon Johnson scored 22 points off the bench, and starter Chris Paul recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, including a crucial three-pointer with 1:27 left to secure the win. The Spurs built a 21-point lead early in the fourth quarter and managed to hold off the Thunder’s spirited comeback attempt.
Harrison Barnes added 20 points for San Antonio, while Julian Champagnie, Zach Collins, and Charles Bassey each scored 12 points. Stephon Castle chipped in with 10 points in the victory.
The Jazz will conclude a four-game road trip against the Spurs on Thursday after a 124-118 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Collin Sexton contributed 19 points. John Collins, Keyonte George, and Jordan Clarkson each scored 18 points, as the Jazz suffered their third consecutive loss. Utah narrowed the gap to seven points, 116-109, with Markkanen’s layup with 1:42 remaining, but ran out of time to complete the comeback.
Jazz coach Will Hardy continues to give some of his young, untested players valuable game time in crucial situations to accelerate their learning curve. This is part of the team’s long-term plan, according to Hardy. After Thursday’s game, Utah and San Antonio will conclude their season series on Tuesday in Salt Lake City during an NBA Cup West Group B game.
