Spurs Top Wizards 131-121 Despite Poole’s Career Night

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Washington Wizards 131-121 on Monday night, fueled by Victor Wembanyama‘s double-double performance of 31 points and 15 rebounds, as well as De'Aaron Fox‘s crucial 30 points.

The Spurs maintained a slim lead throughout the game, holding a three-point advantage at halftime and finishing the game strong to snap a two-game losing streak. Wembanyama’s driving layup with 2:40 left increased the Spurs’ lead to 124-115, offering a cushion as they cruised to victory.

“We executed well down the stretch,” Wembanyama said. “Every player contributed, and it felt good to turn things around.”

Other key contributors for the Spurs included Stephon Castle with 16 points and Jeremy Sochan adding 14. Chris Paul dished out 10 assists, highlighting the Spurs’ balanced scoring attack.

Despite nine players from the Wizards scoring in double figures, the team could not overcome its third consecutive loss. Tristan Vukcevic led the Wizards with 18 points, while Richaun Holmes added 17, and Jordan Poole recorded 16. The loss marks 19 defeats in their last 22 games.

The game began with the Spurs jumping to a quick 28-10 lead, showcasing their aggressive style of play. Washington fought back, narrowing the distance to 37-30 thanks to Vukcevic’s 3-pointer in the first quarter.

The Wizards took the lead with Malcolm Brogdon‘s layup in the second quarter, but the teams traded leads, finishing the half with the Spurs ahead 66-63 after a last-second 3-pointer from Paul.

As the third quarter unfolded, both teams exchanged baskets until Julian Champagnie‘s 3-pointer propelled San Antonio to a 98-88 lead with just over a minute to go in the period. However, Washington ended the quarter on an 8-2 run, closing the gap to 100-96.

In the fourth quarter, the Spurs quickly extended their lead, demonstrating resilience against a Wizards team attempting to mount a comeback. As the game progressed, the Wizards couldn’t muster enough energy to steal the win.

“We have to find a way to put together a complete game,” Vukcevic said postgame. “We showed flashes, but we need to sustain that effort for a full 48 minutes.”

This match marked a pivotal moment in the Wizards’ season, with fans and analysts now paying close attention to the team’s performance in the wake of the trade deadline.