Spurs Defeat Rockets 121-110 in NBA Cup Opener
San Antonio Spurs secured a 121-110 victory over the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup opener on Friday night. Harrison Barnes led the Spurs with 24 points, while Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama added 22 points each.
Key Player Performances
- Harrison Barnes scored the final four points with two free throws and a breakaway dunk after a steal with 12 seconds remaining.
- Julian Champagnie contributed nine points in the last quarter, shooting 6-for-13 on three-pointers, and made important plays including a contested offensive rebound and defensive loose ball recovery.
- Victor Wembanyama faced tough defense from Houston's guards, who aggressively pushed him off position in the first half. He scored four points on 2-for-6 shooting in the opening quarters.
- For Houston, Kevin Durant scored 24 points and Alperen Sengun contributed 22.
Game Dynamics
The Rockets’ five-game winning streak ended as San Antonio closed the first half with a 12-0 run, sparked by turnovers forced in the final two minutes. Devin Vassell hit a three-pointer, and Stephon Castle completed a three-point play during the run.
"Durant was called for his third personal foul at the start of the run after shoving Barnes to the court."
The Spurs capitalized on Houston’s aggressive defense and key momentum swings to secure the win.
Summary
This victory showcased the Spurs' resilience and balanced scoring, breaking the Rockets’ momentum early and maintaining control throughout the game.
Author’s summary: The Spurs ended the Rockets’ winning streak with strong offense and defensive pressure, demonstrating teamwork and clutch plays in a 121-110 NBA Cup opener.