The Spurs make franchise history, going 5-0 to start the season. Here’s what Wembanyama, Castle, Vassell, and the rest of the Spurs had to say.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat 107-101 for their fifth-straight win behind Victor Wembanyama’s 27 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks. The win marked the first time in franchise history that a team started 5-0 in the season.
Stephon Castle scored 21 points and had eight assists. Devin Vassell added 17, Keldon Johnson finished with 11, and rookie Dylan Harper had 13 points and four assists. Harrison Barnes added 10.
The Spurs are 5-0 and will next visit the Suns on Sunday night.
Here’s a sample of what the Spurs said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“I thought they responded great. We knew, we talked about it before the game, that that’s a 48-minute game. Every time you play that team (Miami), you’re competitive. It’s a program. They’re consistent, and so whenever you go on a run, that just gives you a little bit of support because you know they’re on their way back, and I thought we did a great job.”
“I’ve said this all the time, but Mitch (Johnson), through everybody in the organization, wants me to shoot the ball, and if I hesitate shooting the ball once I’m getting yelled at, so no matter if I’ve just missed the last two, three, four, or five, six, I really don’t care. I know I can make the next one.”
“I think everybody on the team is more mature. We don’t make the same mistakes, we don’t make the same turnovers, and we’re all just ready to take that next step.”
Wembanyama:
“It’s not random. We didn’t get those four wins randomly. We worked for it. We started, the season strong and we need to keep that straight going for as long as possible. But it’s good to see results because we could be playing good and still not getting as many wins as we wish, but it’s good to have results and it’s pushing us.”
Keldon Johnson:
“Everybody knows what the goal is and what we’re trying to achieve, and knowing that it takes a team to be able to achieve those goals. So, doing it together is definitely our mindset, and just keeping it simple and really just building.”
“I mean, we were talking about it (team history) all day. We got to get it done, so I’m happy we came through with it.”
“We had a lead in the second half, a big lead, like a convincing lead, and they came back and took the lead. So you can never give up in games like this. So I’m just happy we were able to show our grit and toughness and pull through.”