SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs could not pick up the road win versus the Rockets, losing 127-100.
Victor Wembanyama had 15 points and six rebounds to lead the team. Julian Champagnie had 13 points and three rebounds, Harrison Barnes finished with two, Keldon Johnson had 10, and Chris Paul had 10 points and four assists. Malaki Branham added 10.
Due to injury, San Antonio was without Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Tre Jones. Head coach Gregg Popovich was also out due to illness. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson assumed head coaching duties for the game.
The Spurs are 3-5 to start the season and will next host the Blazers on Thursday night.
Here's a sample of what the teams said after the game.
SPURS
Mitch Johnson:
“Inconsistent, but at times really good. I think that team (Houston Rockets) is so physical and connected defensively. As much as you can play them not set in the halfcourt helps. So that was the pace. The spacing is part of the speed thing. Doesn’t mean we necessarily have to shoot fast, but we want to get to the spots, we need to get to the corners and try to stretch the defenses out, which will help us operate."
Champagnie:
"We definitely got to start [better]. I feel like all of the games we have played so far, we have come out with some aggression. It’s never been that bad of a start, so hopefully we respond next game. Not hopefully, we will respond next game. We have to respond next game. It’s no choice. We can’t come out like that."
Stephon Castle:
“It felt good just to be out there. Just being able to make an impact early in the game, just really going out there with the same mindset. Having a defensive-minded mindset, just going out there and just playing my game.”
ROCKETS
Ime Udoka:
"I think good defense, stops, get out in transition quite a bit, and moved the ball. We got some matchups we like as well, but I think defense really ignited our offense tonight. [Spurs had] 38 points in the first half 19, 19, and so, at that point we guarded well and scored 31, 32, so, that's what it was."