Victor Wembanyama’s historic 5×5 game propels Spurs to victory over Jazz

Coming off a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs looked to bounce back with a victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. This was the Spurs’ first SEGABABA of the season, yet the Spurs played like the most remaining team. After falling behind 30-19 in the first quarter, the Spurs saw themselves only down by six at halftime. When the third quarter started, the Spurs took over the game on both sides. They outscored Utah 30-14 with many forced turnovers including an NBA record of nine team steals in a quarter. In the fourth, the Spurs kept their foot on the gas pedal and clinched a 106-88 victory. The Spurs finished the game with 17 steals and Utah finished with 26 turnovers.

Ladies and gentlemen, Victor Wembanyama has done it again. He recorded his second 5×5 game with 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and five blocks. He is also the record holder of having the most threes made in a 5×5 game (four). It seems he took the “playing soft” criticisms seriously because this was the most offensively aggressive game he’s played so far. He attempted 13 threes and Gregg Popovich said after the game that he wants him to keep firing from distance.

We should have known a masterclass was coming after we saw Wemby’s Halloween costume coming into the game.

Pull-up three in transition? Straight cash homie.

Anytime a Wemby/CP3 pick and roll is happening, just know it’s going to be a highlight. Wemby put Walker Kessler on a poster! Glad we got to see more of this p&r action in the game.

In transition, Julian Champagnie finds Wemby for the breakaway slam! The fact that he barely had to even jump to cover that distance should tell you how easy this is for him.

This play had Wemby written all over it. He first pickpockets Keyonte George, then runs the fastbreak, and then pulls out a behind-the-back dime to Champagnie for the finish. 7’4” demigod.

Here’s another look in case you wanted another angle.

Chris Paul had his best game as a Spur with a near triple-double (19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.) As mentioned above, we got to see more of the Wemby/CP3 p&r action this game, and here they show off the two-man give-and-go special.

Jeremy Sochan continues his solid start to the season by dropping 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. He took a backseat to CP3 and Wemby this game, but still made an impact on both sides. He’s still got a hitch in his jumper, but when you leave him this much space, the three are going to fall.

Harrison Barnes did this against OKC, and Jeremy does it against Utah. A lazy pass intercepted for the breakaway two-hand slam!

Stephon Castle finds an open Sochan near the basket, and Jeremy shows off the patience on the pump fake and slam on the other side!

Sandro Mamukelashvili got some key playing time and showed out with 10 points and a board in 11 minutes. His basketball IQ is underrated, and he shows it here by cutting to the basket for the alley-oop finish from a Wemby dime! Two playmaking bigs on the court will always result in great chemistry basketball.

Show off the hops and the speed! Mamu finishes the dunk on the fastbreak with some ferociousness!

Harrison Barnes had a solid game with eight points, two rebounds, and a block. He has been a great plug-and-play player for the Silver & Black, and here he catches this Wemby dime for the easy dunk to tie the game in the third.

Stephon Castle had a decent game off the bench with eight points, four rebounds, a dime, and a steal. Here he sprints out in transition and catches a Sochan pass for the slam!

This was a much-needed bounce-back win after a disappointing loss. This Spurs team is also showing that they are way beyond a better defensive team than last year. With Devin Vassell returning soon, look for the offense to have more stability.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday at 7:00 PM (CST) on FanDuel Sports Network – Southwest.