Barnes and Wembanyama Lead Spurs to 121-110 Victory Over Rockets in NBA Cup Opener
Harrison Barnes scored 24 points, while Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama each contributed 22 points to help the San Antonio Spurs defeat the Houston Rockets 121-110 Friday night in the NBA Cup opener for both teams.
Game Highlights
- Kevin Durant led Houston with 24 points, and Alperen Sengun added 22 points for the Rockets, who saw their five-game winning streak end.
- Barnes closed the game with four crucial points, including a pair of free throws and a breakaway dunk after a steal at midcourt, sealing the win with 12 seconds left.
- Julian Champagnie scored nine points in the final quarter and made 6 of 13 three-point attempts. He also secured an important offensive rebound and recovered a loose ball on defense late in the game.
Defensive Pressure on Wembanyama
Houston’s defense was aggressive against Wembanyama, with guards Josh Okogie and Reed Sheppard frequently pushing him in the chest and disrupting his offensive position during the first half. Wembanyama scored four points on 2-for-6 shooting in the opening quarters.
San Antonio’s Strong Second Quarter Run
The Spurs ended the first half on a 12-0 run, capitalizing on five Houston turnovers in the last two minutes. Devin Vassell hit a three-pointer and Stephon Castle completed a three-point play during the surge.
"Barnes scored the game’s final four points on a pair of free throws and a breakaway dunk after a steal at midcourt with 12 seconds remaining."
Summary: The Spurs' balanced scoring and defensive resilience helped them overcome a tough Rockets team, ending Houston’s winning streak in a tightly contested NBA Cup opener.