Can Spurs keep it rolling against the Rockets? Stats leaders, injuries and how to watch Sunday’s game

SAN ANTONIO — Two of the best in the West – and in Texas – will face off amid their respective playoff pushes as San Antonio welcomes Houston to continue its homestand at Frost Bank Center. 

This will be the fourth and final regular-season matchup between the two teams; the Spurs have a 2-1 advantage heading into Sunday night. The Silver & Black are coming off a thrilling 25-point comeback over Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers at home Friday, a resilient team win that gave the home team its 14th victory in their last 15 games overall.

It capped an impressive back-to-back for the team, which on Thursday notched its second win of the season over the East-leading Detroit Pistons. Victor Wembanyama tallied 65 points, 26 rebounds and nine blocks across those two games, while shooting at a 51.2% clip. 

“I’ve got zero left right now,” the young All-Star center said after the Clippers game. “That was definitely the best 30 hours of basketball of my life.”

Wembanyama proceeded to shout out rookie Carter Bryant, whose gritty defensive effort helped San Antonio turn the tide after entering halftime down 20. 

“Everybody on the court helped in one way or another,” Wembanyama said. “The best thing I see is no one gives up on anything or anybody.”

The Rockets are 2-2 in their last four. But at 39-23 they hold the No. 3 spot in the conference standings entering Sunday—six and a half games back of 46-17 San Antonio. 

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT. Here’s what to know ahead of time. 

The game will be nationally televised on NBA and Peacock, as well as available to watch on Telemundo. You can also listen to game action on WOAI 1200 and KXTN 1350. 

• POINTS: Victor Wembanyama (23.8), De’Aaron Fox (18.8), Stephon Castle (16.2)
• REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (11.2), Luke Kornet (6.4), Julian Champagnie (5.9)
• ASSISTS: Castle (7.0), Fox (6.2), Dylan Harper (3.7)
• BLOCKS: Wembanyama (3.0), Kornet (1.1), Champagnie/Devin Vassell (0.4)

• POINTS: Kevin Durant (26.1), Alperen Sengun (20.5), Amen Thompson (17.6)
• REBOUNDS: Sengun (9.1), Steven Adams (8.6), Thompson (7.7)
• ASSISTS: Sengun (6.2), Thompson (5.3), Durant (4.5)
• BLOCKS: Sengun (1.1), Jabari Smith Jr. (1.0), Durant (0.9)

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, here’s where the team’s respective injury reports stack up:

• Harrison Barnes, out (ankle)
• David Jones Garcia, out for season (ankle)
• Mason Plumlee, out (reconditioning)

• Steven Adams, out (ankle)
• Jae’Sean Tate, out (knee)
• Fred VanVleet, out (knee)

1. The Rockets are the only team in the association shooting at least 50% as a team since the All-Star Break. The Spurs, at 48.9%, are fourth in that span. 
2. Houston’s turnover ratio of 16% is among the worst in the NBA this season. 
3. San Antonio’s defensive rating of 105.2, referring to how many points they give up per 100 possessions, is third-best in the association since the All-Star Break. At 108.9, Houston is seventh.
4. The Spurs are only one of three teams (Knicks, Thunder) in the top-six for both defensive rating and scoring at home this season. So far that’s amounted to a 23-6 mark at Frost Bank Center, a home record bested only by the Thunder. 
5. The Spurs are guaranteed at least splitting the season series with their in-state rivals after going 1-3 against Houston each of the last two seasons.