Victor Wembanyama: 27 PTS I 9 REB I 5 BLK
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 44 PTS I 14 REB I 7 AST I 2 STL I 2/3 3PT
Although a self alley-oop is worth only two points, the mid-second-quarter dunk by Victor Wembanyama was of much greater value to Frost Bank Center.
Three games after their triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers, the San Antonio Spurs returned home seeking a victory in order to regain the positive balance on the standings after suffering a road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies—this time led by Ja Morant.
That required them to defeat Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, which was no easy assignment even with the return of Wembanyama.
Unfortunately, the Spurs were unable to accomplish it. They closed the gap with the Bucks for nearly the entire game and eventually seized the lead late in the fourth, but it was in vain as Milwaukee defeated Wembanyama on his 20th birthday, 125-121.
Several times during his 27-point, nine-rebound performance, Wembanyama delivered a game-changing performance that made the highlight reel. The rookie contributed to the defense with five blocks and a steal, while Devin Vassell and his 7-4 comrade each scored 30 points for the second time in their careers to lead the Spurs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo committed the majority of the effort for Milwaukee, accumulating 44 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in addition to Damian Lillard’s 25-point effort that proved sufficient to secure the victory.
Wembanyama, age 20, recorded an initial zero on the scoreboard with two free throws. Following his violation on a layup attempt, San Antonio briefly held a 5-2 advantage. However, that was virtually all the lead they held in the first half.
Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Malik Beasley collectively contributed to the Bucks’ 11-0 run, which compelled the Spurs to play from behind and swiftly altered the game’s course. They remained in that location for the duration of the first quarter.
Notwithstanding its inability to establish a lead over Milwaukee, San Antonio maintained its supporters’ interest for the duration of the initial half.
Wembanyama’s All-Star-caliber performance energized the entire crowd and possibly provided a sneak peek of what was to come in Indianapolis, but despite their best efforts, the Spurs were unable to overcome a five-point halftime deficit and fell behind 59-64.
Another Bucks run in the third quarter appeared to eliminate the Spurs’ momentum before it even began, but they countered with a pass to Wembanyama rather than surrendering and allowing the game to slip away.
The novice then succeeded.
Following his acquisition of the ball on a solitary fast break through a poke-away steal, Wembanyama proceeded to wrap it around his back prior to attempting to posterize Brook Lopez. Subsequently, he accomplished the feat by converting a circus layup And-1 and a 3-pointer, thereby restoring his team to within striking distance and earning MVP accolades at the free throw line. However, Spurs were not yet finished.
After Dominick Barlow, who was sidelined for a few seconds due to an injury, returned to the locker room, San Antonio and its supporters ensured that they did not lose a beat.
The Spurs maintained their pace against Milwaukee and claimed its first lead with 53 seconds remaining in the third period. With time nearly running out, Johnson tied the game at 93 with an under-handed reverse layup heading into the fourth quarter.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Frost Bank Center became increasingly resounding, mirroring the Spurs’ strong start that the Bucks experienced in the third quarter.
Keldon Johnson and Cedi Osman each made two consecutive three-pointers to give San Antonio a four-point lead prior to Johnson’s reverse layup beneath the rim.
Milwaukee was subsequently in a position to respond.
As the game neared its climax, Lillard and Antetokounmpo rescued the Bucks from a precarious deficit on the road and prevented them from slipping further behind. Both teams continued to battle tooth and nail.
With less than three minutes remaining, Antetokounmpo recorded a and-1 from low to reduce the Spurs’ lead to two points, and Vassell rebounded his own miss to cut the deficit to five. Antetokounmpo then tied the game with a three-pointer.
Another one from the Bucks’ power forward restored Milwaukee’s lead, but Wembanyama responded with his own, and the game remained deadlocked in the final minute. Later, some back-and-forth put both teams in contention for the victory; however, it was Milwaukee that emerged victorious 125-121 after Jones missed a wide-open 3-pointer in the corner.