The San Antonio Spurs look to build on their success on the road when they visit the improving Washington Wizards on Sunday in the second game between the teams in a four-day period.
The Spurs roll into the nation’s capital riding a five-game winning streak (excluding the NBA Cup final, a game that doesn’t count in the standings). Their latest victory was a dominating 126-98 triumph over the Hawks in Atlanta on Friday.
Victor Wembanyama came off the bench for the fourth straight game after missing 12 contests with a calf injury. He had 26 points and 12 rebounds in the win as San Antonio captured its seventh win in its past nine outings.
Devin Vassell scored 18 points, Stephon Castle had 17 points and Keldon Johnson hit for 13 points off the bench for the Spurs.
San Antonio led 102-72 heading into the fourth quarter before resting its starters.
“The energy and what we were putting our energy into (during the win in Atlanta) was very, very appropriate, and you felt that throughout the game,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “Since October and the beginning of (training camp) we’ve talked about the potential of dealing with diversity and dealing with success. We’re just trying to attack days, and there’s a little bit of all of it.”
The Spurs have won their last two games by an average of 26.5 points since falling to New York in the NBA Cup final Tuesday.
“Just stay consistent. Stay in the gym, even when we have off days, stay in the gym and just be confident,” Vassell said. “This game is all about confidence.”
The Wizards return home for the second game of a back-to-back set after a 130-122 win in Memphis on Saturday. Washington, which has an NBA-worst five victories, has won two of its past three outings overall.
Kyshawn George and CJ McCollum led the Wizards with 28 points apiece in Saturday’s win, with Alex Sarr racking up 18 points and 11 rebounds, Marvin Bagley III scored 16 points and second-year guard Bub Carrington added 14 for Washington, which trailed by 20 points late in the second quarter before pulling ahead on Sarr’s 3-pointer with 2:16 to play.
One of the highlights for the Wizards this season has been the play of Carrington, who became the only player in franchise history aged 20 or younger to accumulate at least 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists during Thursday’s 119-94 loss to San Antonio.
Carrington averaged 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while playing in all 82 contests last season.
“Bub’s been with us for a year and some change now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said. “He’s still an emerging player. He brings great moxie. Great physicality, great defensive pressure. The ability to control the game, find his spots, getting our guys organized. But I love the pace and physicality he’s played with on defense.”
Carrington closed out the win Saturday with four free throws in the final 16 seconds.
