“We just got to continue to help each other,” Chris Paul said after the team’s loss to the Kings.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs lost to the Sacramento Kings at home, 140-113. The Spurs are 2-1 versus the Kings this season and have lost three straight games.
Julian Champagnie had a career-high in points with 30 and three-point makes with six. Keldon Johnson finished with 14 and five rebounds. Harrison Barnes had seven points and three assists, and Chris Paul had 11 and 13 assists.
Jeremy Sochan added 14 points, and Stephon Castle scored 15 points and five assists.
San Antonio was without Tre Jones, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama. Head coach Gregg Popovich was also out due to illness. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson assumed head coaching duties for the game.
The Spurs are 11-12 in the season and will host the Pelicans on Sunday night.
Here’s a sample of what the teams said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“140 points is not anywhere near what we expect of ourselves, but it did feel a little bit different than last night. We can clean up in all areas. Transition defense or one defense has been probably the most disappointing. That has nothing to do with Victor. I know Victor will get a lot of discussion in this topic, but our one-on-one defense has been better and should be better and will be better.”
Champagnie:
“It’s really a testament to everything: Routine, coaching staff, players. I give it to everybody. I wish we won the game.”
“We just got to continue to help each other. Definitely, individual defense matters, but the best defensive teams in the league are team defense. I think we just got to continue to watch games, try to learn people’s tendencies and team’s tendencies. As we get better at that, I think we’ll continue to get better.”
Mike Brown and DeMar DeRozan