The Spurs could not pick up a road win in Phoenix.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs lost to the Phoenix Suns on the road 117-98, led by Julian Champagnie’s 23 points.
Stephon Castle scored 16 points and had 10 assists. Malaki Branham added 15, Blake Wesley finished with seven, and Sandro Mamukelshvili had 19 points and nine rebounds.
Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan did not play due to injury.
The Spurs are 33-48 this season and will next host the Raptors at home for the regular-season finale.
Here’s a sample of what the Spurs and Suns said after the game.
Mitch Johnson:
“Some of the young guys, I don’t think were sharp when they got into the game. And that was disappointing. And then after that, it felt like it took us really while to get our feet underneath us and settle in. Obviously, we got a lot of bumps and bruises. We had funky lineups, so there’s that part but was not happy with some of those guys. And I thought they ended up playing really well and got going. But that stretch, it was a real rough patch, and we really struggled to find our way offensively, had a couple of turnovers, a couple of early shots just come down mid-range two just because it was just a shot.”
Champagnie:
“It (season) is definitely been all the way up and down. There’s been a lot of inconsistency, but just guys getting hurt and having guys, not having guys and we get (De’Aaron) Fox. Some guys go out, but that’s just basketball. That’s just the nature of the beast. You got to be ready to play.”
Mike Budenholzer:
“I think they’re all competitors. I think they wanted to have our last home game have a better feeling to it. Just go out and play good basketball. Get some stops and play together. They did it.”