“I think we’re going to get to the point where all that ‘young guy’ stuff got out the window,” said Chris Paul.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs lost to the New York Knicks on the road 117-114. The team is on a 2-game losing skid.
Victor Wembanyama led the team with 42 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks. Stephon Castle had six points and three assists, and Chris Paul had 13 and seven assists.
Jeremy Sochan added 21 points, Devin Vassell recorded 11, Keldon Johnson had two and one assist, and Julian Champagnie finished with nine and two rebounds.
Head coach Gregg Popovich was also out due to illness. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson assumed head coaching duties for the game.
The Spurs are 15-15 this season and will visit the Nets on Friday.
Here’s a sample of what the teams said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“Give them credit. They (Knicks) made some shots. It is one of those games. I feel bad for the guys. I think they fought their butts off. Give credit to New York for finishing it out.”
Wembanyama:
“We were close but lacked some attributes at times and we were right there. It was a really close game. I don’t think it was a game about momentum. I think it was a game about being dogs when the clock starts going down, under five minutes, three minutes, we let them get some rebounds on us, we let them move us a bit too much, so this is what the game was about.”
“For us the only thing that matters is how we win these close games. I think we’re going to get to the point where all that ‘young guy’ stuff got out the window. We’re pros just like everybody else. There’s a grit and a will that you got to have in this league in order to figure out ways to win those games. Especially on the road.”
Tom Thibodeau:
“I think we got down a few times, kept battling back, and then we had a number of guys make timely, timely plays down the stretch and it was huge. The effort plays, the hustle plays, and sticking with it. I think Deuce [Miles McBride] made a big three (point shot) there—Josh’s (Hart) offensive rebounds.”