Spurs use star power to take down Wizards

Victor Wembanyama produced a 31-point, 15-rebound double-double and De'Aaron Fox added 30 points, 12 of them in the fourth quarter, as the visiting San Antonio Spurs defeated the Washington Wizards 131-121 on Monday.

The Spurs were up by three points at halftime, by four heading into the final quarter and never gave up the lead down the stretch. Wembanyama's driving layup with 2:40 left in the game stoked the San Antonio advantage to 124-115, and the Spurs cruised to the finish line to snap a two-game losing streak.

Stephon Castle added 16 points, Jeremy Sochan had 14 and Harrison Barnes tallied 12 for the Spurs, who also got 10 assists from Chris Paul.

All nine players who saw the court for Washington scored in double figures, but that could not stop the Wizards from dropping their third straight game and 19th in the past 22 outings.

Tristan Vukcevic scored 18 points to lead the balanced Washington attack, with Richaun Holmes adding 17, Jordan Poole hitting for 16 and Corey Kispert and Justin Champagnie racking up 14 apiece.

The Spurs roared out of the gate, grabbing a 28-10 lead after a Fox dunk at the 5:11 mark of the first quarter. Washington fought back, drawing within 37-30 when Vukcevic nailed a running 3-pointer with 33.9 seconds left in the frame, and the hosts trailed 40-30 after 12 minutes of play.

The Wizards moved in front on Malcolm Brogdon's layup with 8:37 remaining in the second period, and the game was tied at 57 when Castle smashed home a dunk with 2:43 to play until halftime. Another dunk by Castle with 28.2 seconds left put San Antonio up 63-60 before a 3-pointer by Paul with 1.5 seconds remaining allowed the Spurs to take a 66-63 advantage into the break.

The teams traded the lead in the third quarter before the Spurs swooped to the front and went up 98-88 on Julian Champagnie's 3-pointer with 1:39 to play in the period. Washington finished the quarter with an 8-2 run to whittle its deficit to 100-96 heading into the fourth.

--Field Level Media